Overview

• Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu resigned and his attempted cabinet fell in under 14 hours after conservative leader Bruno Retailleau withdrew support.
• The Élysée says most lawmakers oppose early elections, and officials cite a nascent cross-party platform that could allow a budget to pass this year.
• Fiscal talks target a 2026 budget by year-end with France’s deficit trimmed toward 4.7%–5% of GDP, and Lecornu said a draft budget will be presented on Monday.
• Some outlets report Macron is prepared to roll back the 2023 pension reform to win left and union backing, a claim not confirmed by the presidency.
• Pressure on Macron intensified as ex-premiers Gabriel Attal and Édouard Philippe publicly distanced themselves, the National Rally pressed for dissolution, and polling put presidential approval near 14%.