French Political Crisis: New Prime Minister Expected Within 48 Hours as Lecornu Steps Aside

Paris:

Outgoing French Prime Minister Sebastien Lecornu, who exacerbated the political crisis with his resignation earlier this week, announced Wednesday that President Emmanuel Macron is expected to appoint a new premier within 48 hours.

"I believe that a path forward is possible," Lecornu stated during his appearance on French television. "I think the current situation allows the president to appoint a prime minister within the next 48 hours," he remarked, while clarifying that he was not "pursuing" the position himself.

Lecornu's interview on France 2 public television had been highly anticipated after Macron had given him until Wednesday evening to resolve months of deadlock regarding an austerity budget.

Following the resignation, Macron faced several options: reappointing Lecornu, selecting what would be the eighth premier of his increasingly challenging mandate, calling for snap legislative elections, or even stepping down himself.

Suggesting that appointing a new premier was now the most probable outcome, Lecornu revealed he had informed Macron that the likelihood of snap legislative elections had "diminished" and that a majority in parliament's lower house opposed dissolution.

After former premier Edouard Philippe suggested that Macron himself should resign and call for early presidential elections, Lecornu insisted that the president should complete his term until 2027.

It was "not the appropriate time to replace the president," Lecornu emphasized, adding: "Let's not mislead the French public into believing that it's the president who votes on the budget."

- 'Mission finished' -

Hinting that a more technocratic government might be appointed, Lecornu suggested that individuals in a new cabinet should not harbor "ambitions" to run in the 2027 presidential elections.

"The situation is already challenging enough. We need a team willing to tackle the country's problems until the presidential election," he stated.

He noted that a "path" should be found to initiate discussions about lowering the pension age - the most controversial domestic reform of Macron's presidency - while warning that any suspension would cost at least three billion euros ($3.5 billion) in 2027.

Education Minister Elisabeth Borne, who served as premier when the reform was pushed through parliament without a vote, had advocated for its suspension.

Lecornu provided no indication regarding who might become the next premier but suggested he would not be reappointed.

"I attempted everything possible... My mission is now complete," he declared.

He mentioned that a new budget could be presented to the cabinet by Monday.

However, it would "not be perfect" and there would be "significant matters to discuss," he cautioned.