Caretaker French Prime Minister Sebastien Lecornu has expressed cautious optimism regarding the potential resolution of the country’s budget deadlock by the end of the year. His comments, made during ongoing discussions with various political parties, suggest a decreasing likelihood of a snap election, which has loomed over France’s political landscape.
Lecornu’s remarks followed a series of meetings on Tuesday with conservative and centre-right groups, along with an upcoming discussion with the Socialist Party. “There is a willingness to have a budget for France before December 31, 2023,” Lecornu stated to reporters, indicating that the political climate is shifting toward collaboration. He noted that this willingness could create the necessary momentum to distance the prospect of parliamentary dissolution.
The Prime Minister is scheduled to meet with President Emmanuel Macron later today to present the outcomes of his talks. Macron has faced increasing pressure from opposition parties, who are demanding either a snap election or his resignation in response to the ongoing political crisis. Lecornu, who has become the fifth prime minister in just two years, tendered his resignation on Monday. This move followed threats from both allies and opposition, highlighting the instability of his administration, which has now become the shortest in modern French history.
As discussions progress, Lecornu aims to understand the concessions that the Socialists and Greens may require to support a budget agreement. He emphasized the goal of reducing France’s budget deficit to between 4.7 percent and 5.0 percent, down from a target of 5.4 percent set for 2025.
While the path to a budget agreement remains challenging, Lecornu’s efforts signal a renewed commitment to governance amid one of France’s worst political crises in decades. The outcome of these discussions could significantly influence the stability of the current administration and the broader political landscape in France.
