Overview

• The Élysée confirmed a new prime minister will be named by Friday, after Sébastien Lecornu ended his consultations and said he is not chasing reconduction.
• Lecornu reported that an absolute majority of deputies oppose another dissolution and said a path remains possible to secure a 2026 budget by year‑end.
• A draft 2026 budget is slated to be deposited on Monday, with Lecornu cautioning it was prepared quickly and will need substantial debate.
• The pensions reform is the key impasse, as Lecornu urged reopening parliamentary debate and estimated that suspending the law would cost about €3 billion in 2027.
• Pressure lines hardened: the Socialists and Greens demand a left prime minister, parts of the right and Horizons reject rolling back pensions, and Medef voiced strong reluctance to any suspension.