France's Prime Minister Resigns After Under One Month Amidst Widespread Backlash of New Government
France's political crisis has deepened after the new prime minister dramatically resigned within hours of announcing a cabinet.
Swift Departure Amid Government Turmoil
Sébastien Lecornu was the third PM in a year-long span, as the nation continued to stumble from one government turmoil to another. He stepped down moments before his initial ministerial gathering on the beginning of the workweek. Macron approved his resignation on Monday morning.
Strong Criticism Over Fresh Government
France's leader had faced strong opposition from opposition politicians when he announced a new government that was virtually unchanged since last previous month's dismissal of his preceding leader, the previous prime minister.
The announced cabinet was controlled by the president's supporters, leaving the administration largely similar.
Rival Response
Political opponents said Lecornu had stepped back on the "profound break" with earlier approaches that he had pledged when he assumed office from the unpopular previous leader, who was removed on September 9th over a planned spending cuts.
Future Political Direction
The issue now is whether the president will decide to end the current assembly and call another sudden poll.
Marine Le Pen's political ally, the head of the far-right leader's political movement, said: "It's impossible to have a reestablishment of order without a new election and the national assembly being dissolved."
He continued, "Evidently the president who chose this cabinet himself. He has failed to comprehend of the current circumstances we are in."
Vote Calls
The opposition movement has pushed for another poll, believing they can expand their seats and presence in the assembly.
France has gone through a period of turmoil and government instability since the president called an unclear early vote last year. The parliament remains divided between the main groups: the left, the far right and the central bloc, with no definitive control.
Budget Deadline
A spending package for next year must be passed within weeks, even though political parties are at disagreement and his leadership ended in barely three weeks.
No-Confidence Vote
Factions from the progressive side to conservative wing were to hold meetings on the start of the week to decide whether or not to vote to remove France's leader in a opposition challenge, and it looked that the cabinet would fall before it had even begun operating. Lecornu apparently decided to leave before he could be dismissed.
Ministerial Appointments
Most of the key cabinet roles revealed on the night before remained the identical, including Gérald Darmanin as justice minister and Rachida Dati as culture minister.
The responsibility of economy minister, which is essential as a divided parliament struggles to approve a financial plan, went to the president's supporter, a Macron ally who had previously served as industry and energy minister at the commencement of his current leadership period.
Surprise Selection
In a shocking development, a longtime Macron ally, a government partner who had served as economy minister for an extended period of his term, returned to administration as defence minister. This enraged politicians across the political divide, who considered it a sign that there would be no questioning or alteration of his corporate-friendly approach.