France's Political Turmoil: Lecornu Faces No-Confidence Threat

Paris, Oct 14 (AP) France's political landscape is teetering on the edge as Prime Minister Sebastien Lecornu, recently reappointed amid ongoing turmoil, faces the challenge of making concessions to his adversaries to avert a looming no-confidence vote. With the nation embroiled in a protracted political crisis, Lecornu's government is hanging by a thread.

President Emmanuel Macron reinstalled Lecornu, previously the defense minister, in hopes of stabilizing the situation. On Tuesday, Lecornu gathered his Cabinet to deliberate over the 2026 draft budget, which lawmakers will review over the forthcoming 70 days. Later, he will present a policy speech in the National Assembly to outline his administration's objectives.

The opposition has been quick to respond, with Marine Le Pen's far-right National Rally and the far-left France Unbowed swiftly filing censure motions against Lecornu, scheduled for debate on Thursday.

Critics from both ends of the political spectrum have denounced Macron's decision to reappoint Lecornu, his fourth prime minister in just a year. As the next presidential election approaches in less than two years, the National Rally is urging Macron to call an early parliamentary election, while France Unbowed demands his resignation.

Though the two parties lack the numbers to single-handedly topple Lecornu's government, aligning with Socialist and Green lawmakers could spell disaster for the prime minister.

Amid looming deadlines, Lecornu might have to shelve the unpopular pension reform, a hallmark of Macron's second term, to avoid censure and secure a budget for the EU's second-largest economy. Enacted in 2023 without parliamentary approval and in the face of widespread protests, the reform incrementally increases the retirement age from 62 to 64, drawing ire from opposition parties who want to dismiss it.

The Socialist Party is demanding its repeal, gaining support from notable figures like Nobel laureate Philippe Aghion. Speaking to France 2, Aghion advocated for the reform's suspension until the 2027 presidential election, suggesting it as a strategy to "calm things down" with minimal cost.

Lecornu's reappointment is viewed as Macron's last effort to revitalize his second term. His centrist alliance lacks a majority in the National Assembly, and internal dissent is on the rise.

Macron's unexpected decision to dissolve the National Assembly last year led to a hung parliament and subsequent political gridlock.

Over the past year, Macron's sequence of minority governments has rapidly deteriorated, leaving France trapped in a stalemate while grappling with increasing poverty and a burgeoning debt crisis that has alarmed financial markets and European Union partners. (AP) SKS SKS

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