Paris, October 10, 2025 – The Europe Today: French President Emmanuel Macron was set on Friday to appoint a head of government tasked with resolving the country’s ongoing political gridlock, temporarily averting fresh elections.
The stalemate stems from last year’s snap parliamentary elections, which Macron called hoping to consolidate power. Instead, they resulted in a hung parliament and strengthened representation for the far-right National Rally (RN).
According to sources cited by AFP, Macron was scheduled to meet leaders of all political parties—excluding the RN and the radical left France Unbowed party—at 1230 GMT on Friday at the presidential palace. Macron’s office confirmed that a decision on the new prime minister would be announced by Friday evening, following the resignation of his seventh prime minister, Sebastien Lecornu, earlier this week after months of stalemate over the austerity budget.
Lecornu, a Macron loyalist, remained in office for two additional days to consult with political parties. Speaking to French television on Wednesday, he expressed optimism that a new cabinet could successfully pass the government’s 2026 spending bill through parliament. His two predecessors were forced out over similar budget disputes, and his recently unveiled cabinet was criticized for not signaling enough change from previous governments.
While Lecornu offered no hint as to his successor, speculation has emerged around potential candidates, including Jean-Louis Borloo, a former minister under Presidents Jacques Chirac and Nicolas Sarkozy, as well as former Socialist prime ministers Bernard Cazeneuve and Pierre Moscovici. Borloo, however, stated he had had no contact with Macron’s office. Lecornu also suggested that the new government could take on a more technocratic character, with members having no ambitions to contest the 2027 presidential elections.
The political crisis has prompted criticism from former allies. Former Prime Minister Edouard Philippe, a likely contender in the next presidential elections, suggested earlier this week that Macron himself should step down once the budget is passed, though Macron has reaffirmed his intention to complete his term.
Meanwhile, Marine Le Pen, whose far-right RN refused to participate in recent talks, vowed to oppose any measures from the new government, stating she would “vote against everything”. With Macron completing his second term, the RN sees a strong opportunity for the 2027 presidential elections, though Le Pen herself is barred from running due to a corruption conviction, potentially paving the way for her 30-year-old lieutenant Jordan Bardella to contest the race.
A revised draft budget for 2026 could be presented to a council of ministers on Monday, the legal deadline for parliament to pass the bill before year-end, indicating that a new cabinet could be announced by the end of the weekend.
The centrist president now faces the most severe domestic crisis of his presidency since 2017, with political tensions escalating as France navigates both parliamentary deadlock and a growing far-right challenge.
