Macron Reappoints Lecornu as Prime Minister amidst Political Uncertainty
PARIS – French President Emmanuel Macron reappointed Sébastien Lecornu as prime minister on Thursday, following days of political turmoil triggered by the loss of his parliamentary majority. The move comes after Macron held meetings with leaders of various political parties in an attempt to secure support for a new government and it’s agenda of fiscal austerity.
The reappointment of Lecornu, a centrist, has drawn criticism from left-wing opposition leaders who had hoped Macron would appoint a prime minister from their ranks. This decision risks alienating potential allies needed to pass crucial legislation, especially regarding Macron’s plans to reduce France‘s budget deficit by tens of billions of euros. The political instability has already impacted economic forecasts, with the head of France’s central bank warning of setbacks.
Marine tondelier, national secretary of the Greens party, stated she saw “no reason not to bring a vote of no confidence” in a Lecornu government. olivier Faure, leader of the Socialists, said, “since we’ve not been given any guarantees, we won’t give any guarantee [to back the prime minister] in a vote of confidence.” Fabien Roussel, from the Communist party, added that the left wanted “real change, and a prime minister from the president’s centrist camp would not be accepted by the French peopel.” Tondelier was also quoted as saying she was “stunned” Macron had offered the left “almost nothing,” predicting “all of this is going to turn out very badly.”
France’s central bank is currently forecasting economic growth of 0.7% this year, but chief François Villeroy de Galhau indicated the political uncertainty has already cost France an estimated 0.2% of potential growth. He urged compromise and even coalition-building, stating, “Like many in France I’ve had enough of this [political] mess.” Failure to form a stable government could further destabilize the French economy.
