Overview

• Lecornu quit after about four weeks in office following a cabinet row over Bruno Le Maire’s surprise nomination as defense minister and threats by Républicains leader Bruno Retailleau to leave the government.
• Macron tasked the outgoing premier with final talks and signaled he would “take responsibility” if they fail, leaving options open, including possible new elections according to reports from his office.
• France now has a caretaker government limited to day‑to‑day business, and Le Maire later said he would not take up the defense portfolio.
• Opposition parties on the left and right demanded either dissolution of the Assembly or Macron’s resignation, with the Assembly’s bureau set to consider an LFI motion to debate removing the president on Wednesday.
• Markets turned lower as the CAC 40 fell roughly 1.3%–2% and borrowing costs rose, reflecting concern over France’s heavy debt and the contested savings budget timeline.