French Prime Minister Sebastien Lecornu resigns hours after unveiling new cabinet | DW News

Key Concepts French Political Crisis, Prime Minister Resignation, Confidence Vote, Cabinet Formation, Parliamentary Deadlock, Snap Elections, Dissolution of Parliament, Budget Deficit, Compromise.

Prime Minister's Shock Resignation France is experiencing a deepening political crisis following the resignation of Prime Minister Sebastian de Cornu after less than four weeks in office. This announcement came just hours after he unveiled his new cabinet, which immediately faced criticism from both opposition members and elements within the ruling alliance. President Emanuel Macron had appointed Cornu in September, a move necessitated after the previous administration lost a confidence vote in parliament. The French presidency confirmed Macron's acceptance of the resignation.

Reasons Behind the Resignation The resignation stemmed from significant internal disagreements regarding the composition of the new government. According to DW correspondent Lisa Louie, it took the ex-Prime Minister a month to assemble his team. A key point of contention arose from Interior Minister Bruno Utayou, a member of the conservative party Les Républicains, who publicly stated the new cabinet "was not good enough" and "was not really a break from the past." Utayou's criticism was specifically aimed at two members of the new team perceived as "too close to Macron," indicating a desire for a more distinctly right-wing government. Sebastian Loru, the now ex-Prime Minister, attributed his resignation to a lack of compromise within the government, stating that "certain parties, certain members of his government were thinking that they had a majority in parliament" and that "there is not the sense for compromise within the government." This highlights a fundamental ideological clash, with Utayou reportedly wanting a government that was "really a right-wing government" and unwilling to accept individuals closer to the political center.

President Macron's Limited Options and Political Landscape President Macron now faces the challenge of finding a new Prime Minister amidst a deeply fractured political landscape. The parliament is currently split into three main blocks, with none holding a majority, leading to a significant "deadlock."

• Left-wing parties are advocating for Macron to finally give them a chance to form a government, citing their block as the largest following last year's snap parliamentary elections. However, Macron has not yet pursued this option.
• The far-right National Assembly is demanding a more radical solution: the dissolution of parliament and the launch of new presidential elections, with Macron also stepping down.
• Likelihood of Dissolution: DW's Lisa Louie notes that dissolving parliament is unlikely to resolve the situation. Polls indicate that while the far-right would likely emerge as the biggest block in new snap elections, they would still not secure a majority, thus perpetuating the current stalemate.

The Deepening Political Deadlock and Policy Divides The core of France's political crisis lies in the inability of different parties to cooperate, a situation exacerbated by the country's political system which is "not built" for a president without a parliamentary majority. Each party is currently "trying to push go for the maximum demand," rather than seeking common ground. This deadlock is particularly critical as France faces an imminent budget vote within weeks, compounded by a "huge budget deficit." The fundamental policy disagreements on economic issues further illustrate the chasm between parties:

• Left-wing parties advocate for "taxing more taxes on the rich."
• The right-wing and center-right oppose this, arguing for the need to "save more money" and "cut down social spending." This ideological divide on fiscal policy represents a major hurdle that President Macron must overcome, making it a "very, very difficult riddle to solve."

Conclusion The resignation of Prime Minister Sebastian de Cornu underscores the severe political instability in France, driven by a fragmented parliament, a lack of compromise among political factions, and a system ill-equipped for minority governments. President Macron's options are limited, with no clear path to forming a stable government or resolving critical issues like the looming budget deficit. The deep ideological divides, particularly on economic policy, suggest that the political deadlock is likely to persist, posing a significant challenge to governance and stability in the country.