France's Premier Quits Following Less Than a Month Amid Extensive Condemnation of Freshly Appointed Government
The French political crisis has deepened after the freshly installed PM suddenly stepped down within moments of forming a cabinet.
Quick Resignation Amid Political Turmoil
France's latest leader was the third French prime minister in a twelve-month period, as the republic continued to stumble from one parliamentary instability to another. He stepped down moments before his opening government session on the start of the week. Macron received his resignation on the beginning of Monday.
Strong Criticism Over New Cabinet
Lecornu had faced strong opposition from rival parties when he presented a new government that was virtually unchanged since last month's dismissal of his preceding leader, the previous prime minister.
The announced cabinet was controlled by Macron's allies, leaving the cabinet almost unchanged.
Opposition Reaction
Opposition parties said France's leader had stepped back on the "major shift" with past politics that he had promised when he assumed office from the unpopular previous leader, who was ousted on 9 September over a proposed budget squeeze.
Next Government Direction
The uncertainty now is whether the president will decide to terminate the legislature and call another early vote.
The National Rally president, the head of the far-right leader's political movement, said: "We cannot achieve a return to stability without a fresh vote and the national assembly being dissolved."
He continued, "Obviously the president who chose this administration himself. He has misinterpreted of the political situation we are in."
Vote Demands
The National Rally has demanded another election, confident they can increase their seats and influence in parliament.
The country has gone through a time of turmoil and political crisis since the centrist Macron called an inconclusive snap election last year. The legislature remains separated between the political factions: the liberal wing, the far right and the central bloc, with no clear majority.
Budget Pressure
A spending package for next year must be passed within weeks, even though parliamentary groups are at odds and Lecornu's tenure ended in barely three weeks.
Opposition Vote
Political groups from the progressive side to conservative wing were to hold gatherings on the start of the week to decide whether or not to approve to dismiss Lecornu in a opposition challenge, and it looked that the administration would collapse before it had even started work. Lecornu seemingly decided to leave before he could be dismissed.
Cabinet Appointments
Most of the key cabinet roles announced on Sunday night remained the same, including the legal affairs head as justice minister and the culture minister as culture minister.
The role of financial affairs leader, which is crucial as a fragmented legislature struggles to approve a spending package, went to a Macron ally, a Macron ally who had earlier worked as industry and energy minister at the commencement of his current leadership period.
Surprise Selection
In a surprise move, Bruno Le Maire, a presidential supporter who had worked as economy minister for multiple terms of his term, came back to government as national security leader. This infuriated politicians across the political divide, who viewed it as a indication that there would be no doubt or modification of his corporate-friendly approach.