Minister Resigns Just Hours After Announcing Cabinet

France’s Newly Appointed Prime Minister Resigns Just Hours After Announcing Cabinet

On Monday, the Presidency announced that French President Emmanuel Macron accepted Prime Minister Sebastien Lecornu’s resignation just hours after unveiling his cabinet. This development has deepened the political deadlock in France.

Last month, Macron appointed Lecornu, a former defense minister, to the position.

However, the cabinet he revealed late on Sunday to collaborate with Lecornu remained largely unchanged, sparking intense criticism from across the political spectrum.

Lecornu was challenged with the formidable task of securing approval from a deeply divided parliament for an austerity budget proposed for the following year.

Lecornu’s two immediate predecessors, Francois Bayrou and Michel Barnier, were removed from office by the legislative chamber following a conflict over the spending plan.

According to official data released last week, France’s public debt has hit an all-time high.

France’s debt-to-GDP ratio is currently the third highest in the European Union, following Greece and Italy. It approaches nearly double the 60 percent limit allowed under EU regulations.

Earlier administrations had pushed the last three annual budgets through parliament without holding a vote, a practice permitted by the constitution but heavily criticized by the opposition.

However, Lecornu assured last week that lawmakers would have the opportunity to vote on the bill.

Since Macron took the risky step of calling for snap parliamentary elections in mid-last year with the aim of strengthening his authority, France has remained stuck in a stalemate.

The strategy failed, resulting in the Macron-supportive bloc becoming a minority within the assembly.