French Prime Minister Lecornu‘s Goverment Collapses After Just 14 Hours
Paris,France – France is facing renewed political instability as Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu’s newly appointed government collapsed Monday,lasting a mere 14 hours.The rapid downfall stems from a dispute with the conservative Republicans party (LR) and its leader, Interior Minister Bruno Retailleau, throwing into question President Emmanuel Macron’s ability to forge a stable governing coalition.
Lecornu had named his cabinet late Sunday afternoon, but by Monday morning, the alliance was unraveling. Retailleau initially indicated a willingness to remain as minister, but within an hour of the cabinet proclamation, he signaled a potential withdrawal of LR from the government via social media.
The core issue revolved around the nomination of former Finance Minister Bruno Le maire as Lecornu’s pick for Defense Minister. LR strongly opposes Le Maire, a former party colleague who later joined Macron’s government, and blames him for increases in French national debt during his tenure as Finance Minister. LR accused Lecornu of concealing Le Maire’s nomination, claiming Retailleau learned of it only through television news.
The crisis prompted a last-minute intervention by macron, who granted his outgoing prime minister a 48-hour reprieve to attempt to persuade LR to rejoin the government. As of late Monday, Le Maire agreed to withdraw his candidacy for the Defence post.
The situation highlights the growing challenges Macron faces in maintaining a functional government. With the 2027 French presidential election looming, potential coalition partners are increasingly hesitant to align themselves with the unpopular president, fearing electoral repercussions.
The center-right alliance supporting Macron is showing signs of fracturing, with LR’s withdrawal and growing discontent among centrists. Even Gabriel Attal, a former prime minister once considered a rising star within Macron’s circle, is reportedly distancing himself. The events signal a potential turning point, with observers suggesting a possible “twilight of an era” as Macron’s allies begin preparing for a post-Macron political landscape.
