Sébastien Lecornu concludes mission to avoid dissolution
Resigned Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu stated on France 2 Wednesday evening that his 48-hour mission, assigned by Emmanuel Macron to resolve the political crisis, has ended. He asserted a path exists without dissolving the National Assembly and a new prime minister will be appointed within 48 hours. The Élysée confirmed this imminent appointment, highlighting a majority against dissolution and a platform to pass the budget by December's end.
Sébastien Lecornu, appointed prime minister on Monday before resigning the next day due to partisan tensions, conducted intensive consultations over 48 hours to identify a stability platform. Wednesday afternoon, he went to the Élysée to report his findings to Emmanuel Macron, before his appearance on France 2's 8 p.m. news.
In the interview, Lecornu certified that « there is an absolute majority in the Assembly that refuses dissolution », adding that « a path is possible » for a budget compromise, though « difficult ». He mentioned a « stability platform » and estimated the president could appoint a successor « within 48 hours », before the 2026 budget presentation scheduled for Monday. On the retirement reform, demanded for suspension by the left, he acknowledged a « democratic wound » from the 2023 49.3 use, noting a cost of at least « three billion euros » in 2027 for a pause, without formally announcing it. He stressed the need for debate, warning against « demographic denial ».
The Élysée thanked Lecornu for his work, confirming a majority against dissolution and a possible budget by December 31. Partisan reactions highlight divisions: the left, via Olivier Faure and Marine Tondelier, demands a left-wing prime minister and retirement suspension; Bruno Retailleau (LR) firmly opposes the latter; Marine Le Pen (RN) denounces « chatter » and calls for elections; Jean-Luc Mélenchon (LFI) proposes an early presidential election.
Lecornu also ruled out Emmanuel Macron's resignation, stating: « it is not the time to change president ». A budget bill will be tabled Monday, with a call for parliamentary indulgence. These developments temporarily distance the specter of new dissolution, but the crisis persists in a fragmented Assembly.