In brief
In a dramatic parliamentary session, French Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu survived two no-confidence motions, temporarily securing his position just five days into office. The prime minister's survival came at a cost, as he promised to freeze a controversial pension reform and relinquish some control over the budget, reflecting shifts in political power. As public disillusionment grows, Lecornu must now focus on passing the 2026 budget against a backdrop of opposition pressure and a challenging political landscape.
France's new prime minister, Sébastien Lecornu, has bought himself breathing space after winning two no-confidence motions tabled by the opposition. In the tightest vote, a motion sponsored by the far left fell 18 votes short of the 289 needed to bring him down. This means that after just five days in office, Lecornu has survived a first major ordeal in parliament and can now focus on the task of passing the 2026 budget.However, any relief for the prime minister is likely to be short-lived, with the far left and far right still gunning to bring him down. The Socialists, who threw a lifeline in the no-confidence motions, have made clear they will not be so indulgent next time round. Furthermore, Lecornu's tactical victory is undercut by the significant damage to France's reputation caused by weeks of confusion and political gambits.Appointed by President Emmanuel Macron four weeks ago and then re-appointed amidst chaotic scenes after he resigned, Lecornu’s only survival was facilitated by major concessions made to the left, including freezing the retirement age hike, a key economic reform of Macron's presidency. This concession, aimed at gaining support from the Socialist Party, may have significant implications for upcoming budget approvals, as Lecornu has also pledged to avoid using a constitutional device that allows the government to pass laws without a parliamentary vote.This shift in power dynamics reflects the declining presidential authority since the botched parliamentary dissolution of July 2024, and suggests a return to party politicking reminiscent of the Fourth Republic.Despite the challenges, the draft budget aims to reduce the deficit significantly while facing resistance from various opposition parties, who criticize it as detrimental to the less affluent. With Macron's popularity at a record low, and calls for his resignation increasing, Lecornu faces an uphill battle in steering the country through its political turbulence.
