Lecornu addresses parliament: a decisive week for french politics

The new Prime Minister aims to mend the rift between the government and the opposition: pensions, taxes, and the budget at the heart of the debate.

Sébastien Lecornu, 39, has just taken the reins at Matignon and already finds himself at a decisive crossroads. On Tuesday afternoon, he will speak for the first time as Prime Minister at the National Assembly to defend the budget bill — and, in effect, the survival of his government.

A speech on which not only his political future depends, but also that of President Macron, who is increasingly squeezed between the pressures of his allies and the rise of extremist parties. The opposition — both Marine Le Pen’s far right and the radical left — have already announced motions of no confidence. But it’s the vote of the Socialists, crucial to the outcome, that has the Élysée holding its breath. In exchange for their abstention, they are demanding higher taxes on the wealthy and corporations, fewer cuts, and above all a halt to the contested pension reform that raises the minimum retirement age from 62 to 64.

Macron is only offering a postponement, but Socialist leader Olivier Faure warns: “That's not even up for discussion. We will vote no confidence.” Even several economists, including Nobel laureate Philippe Aghion, are advising a pause to “calm things down.”

But Lecornu’s hands are tied: he has pledged not to force the budget through using Article 49.3 of the Constitution and cannot afford to exceed the 5% deficit limit, or risk losing market confidence.

The danger? Yet another government crisis — which would be the third in a year — or early elections, with all the chaos that would bring. “We must get out of this crisis — the country is watching us,” Lecornu told his ministers. Now, all of France is watching him too.