Sébastien Lecornu Faces Political Turmoil in Forming New Government Amidst Party Divisions and Budget Deadlines
Sébastien Lecornu grapples with party withdrawals, opposition threats, and budget deadlines as he forms a new government post-reappointment in October 2025.
- • Les Républicains have withdrawn from the government, intensifying political instability.
- • A new government with key ministers like Laurent Nuñez and Catherine Vautrin is set to be announced soon.
- • Opposition parties threaten to censure the government and call for dissolution of the National Assembly.
- • Constitutional deadlines press Lecornu to present the 2026 budget despite uncertain ministerial support.
Key details
Following his reappointment as Prime Minister in October 2025, Sébastien Lecornu confronts significant challenges in forming his new government. The centre-right party Les Républicains (LR) officially withdrew from the coalition, ending their participation in the fragile government that had been in place since the summer 2024 dissolution of the National Assembly. The LR's decision was confirmed during a tense party meeting marked by sharp disagreements about supporting Lecornu's leadership (97807).
Despite these setbacks, Lecornu has announced plans to unveil a new government by Monday or Tuesday, presenting a lineup without LR and possibly excluding former ministers. Key ministers in the announced cabinet include Laurent Nuñez as Interior Minister, Catherine Vautrin overseeing the Armed Forces, Gérald Darmanin at Justice, Jean-Pierre Farandou handling Labor and Solidarity, and Monique Barbut managing Ecological Transition and climate negotiations — reflecting a diverse range of portfolios from economy to culture (97792).
Lecornu's task is complicated by opposition threats of government censure and calls for the dissolution of the National Assembly voiced by opposition parties such as La France insoumise, the Greens, and the Rassemblement National. Olivier Faure from the Socialist Party suggested that early dissolution is a likely outcome given the parliamentary situation (97807).
In addition to political fragmentation, Lecornu must meet constitutional deadlines to present the 2026 budget to Parliament before the year's end. However, the budget's timely presentation is uncertain due to the unclear government composition and Emmanuel Macron's planned trip to Egypt, which may delay the process. Constitutional experts differ on whether the Prime Minister can submit the budget amid ongoing ministerial resignations (97805).
Local political leaders from the Côte d'Azur have voiced concerns about France's political stability and the implications of Lecornu’s reappointment. José Garcia Abia of the Socialist Party lamented the damage to France's international image, Philippe Schreck from the RN criticized the rapid return of Lecornu to premiership, while Philippe Pradal (Horizons) and Pierre-Paul Léonelli (LR) highlighted the enduring lack of a parliamentary majority and political compromise (97803).
As Lecornu strives to navigate coalition difficulties and impending budget deadlines, his political future remains uncertain, with speculation about further resignations if the political impasse persists. The upcoming days will be critical for Lecornu and the stability of the French government.