Overview

• President Emmanuel Macron accepted Sébastien Lecornu’s resignation but tasked him to report by Wednesday evening on whether a workable platform can be forged.
• Macron’s entourage says he will “take responsibility” if talks fail, a message widely read as preparing a possible new dissolution of the National Assembly.
• Lecornu met allies from the governing bloc and the presidents of both chambers and proposed to confine negotiations to passing the 2026 budget and addressing New Caledonia.
• The Rassemblement national and allied UDR pledged to systematically censure any government until new elections are called or the president departs, tightening the parliamentary vise.
• Pressure on the Elysée is rising as LR floats a conditional cohabitation, the PS and Greens press for a left-led premiership, and Edouard Philippe urges an early presidential election after the budget vote.