Lecornu explained that the majority of deputies do not want to dissolve parliament and, according to him, there are forces that do are ready to agree on the 2026 budget. This budget should be adopted before the end of this year.
The Prime Minister expressed his belief that “there is still a possible path”, which “is difficult”.
— I told the president that the prospects of dissolving parliament are receding and that I think the situation allows the president to appoint the prime minister within next 48 hours – he informed. Lecornu emphasized that from now on considers his mission completed. The AFP agency, citing the Elysée Palace, also confirmed that the decision on the new prime minister would be made in the coming hours.
The article continues below the video
He also assessed that regardless of “what the president's choice will be”, the government team will come “should be completely detached from presidential ambitions in 2027.”
The outgoing Prime Minister recognized that “a way must be found to discuss pension reform” and that this topic is one of the most difficult to negotiate. He noted that the cost of suspending the reform – as demanded by the left – would reach at least EUR 3 billion in 2027.
A new president in France? “It's not a good time”
Lecornu assured, commenting on calls for early presidential elections, that “this is not the moment to change the president.” He added that the head of state will address the citizens in due time.
The pension reform, which raises the retirement age to 64, is one of the main changes introduced in the country by Macron. During the negotiations with Lecorn, the issue of suspending it arose, but the Prime Minister did not guarantee at the meeting with the Socialist Party that such a step was realistic.
Right-wing Republicans are against suspending the reform and have also announced that they would not join a government formed by the left. The issue of concessions regarding the retirement age also divides President Macron's centrist camp.
Roland Lescure, who was appointed finance minister in his government just before Lecorn stepped down, said on Wednesday morning that modifying the pension reform would cost “hundreds of millions (euros) in 2026 and billions in 2027.”
