France is on the cusp of a significant political appointment. The outgoing Prime Minister, Sébastien Lecornu, announced on Wednesday that he anticipates President Emmanuel Macron will name his successor within the next 48 hours. Lecornu, however, seemed to dismiss any possibility of his own return to the post, stating simply, “My mission is finished.”
Lecornu’s much-anticipated interview with broadcaster France Télévisions, however, raised more questions than it answered regarding Macron’s strategy to navigate France out of its ongoing political turmoil. His abrupt resignation on Monday, a mere 14 hours after unveiling his new Cabinet, sent shockwaves through the political establishment.
Following his resignation, President Macron tasked Lecornu with continuing efforts to build support among lawmakers for the upcoming 2026 national budget. Despite two more days of discussions led by Lecornu with various political parties—excluding Macron’s staunch opponents on the far left and far right who declined participation—the path forward for Macron remains unclear. Nevertheless, Lecornu expressed a sense of progress, noting, “I feel that a path is still possible. It is difficult. I think that the situation allows the president to name a Prime Minister in the next 48 hours.”