Overview

• After two days of consultations, Lecornu said his mission was finished and that a path exists for Macron to appoint a new premier, a timeline the Élysée confirmed.
• The 2023 pension reform is the main sticking point, with Socialists demanding at least a suspension as a condition to avoid censure and ministers warning such a pause could cost about €3 billion in 2027.
• A draft 2026 budget is set to be submitted on Monday so Parliament can try to adopt it before year-end, with several groups indicating readiness to work on a stability platform.
• Marine Le Pen’s National Rally vowed to oppose any new cabinet and to vote against its measures, and LFI has threatened censure if Macron’s policies continue, keeping the risk of blockage high.
• Lecornu, who resigned after just 14 hours in office, said he is not seeking the job and floated a more technocratic team without 2027 presidential ambitions, adding this is not the time to change the president.