France is plunged deeper into political turmoil after the National Assembly, the country’s lower house of parliament, toppled Emmanuel Macron’s government, Bloomberg reports.
The president now faces the urgent task of appointing a new prime minister and navigating the country’s fragmented political landscape to pass the 2025 budget.
Michel Barnier’s tenure as prime minister was the shortest in the history of the Fifth Republic, ending abruptly following the no-confidence vote. National Assembly President Yael Braun-Pivet urged Macron to act swiftly, stating, “I advise him to nominate a prime minister quickly… There is still time to give France a budget by the end of the year.”
Several names are circulating as potential replacements, all men, reflecting a notable absence of female candidates in the current discussions:
- Sébastien Lecornu (38): A Macron loyalist and the youngest defense minister since the French Revolution, Lecornu boasts experience and a reputation for effective political maneuvering.
- Bernard Cazeneuve (61): A former prime minister and interior minister under François Hollande, Cazeneuve represents a potential bridge to the left-wing opposition, though his appointment might risk fracturing the left-wing New Popular Front bloc.
- François Bayrou (73): The veteran centrist and leader of the MoDem party, a key Macron ally, holds significant influence within parliament. His support for proportional representation could prove beneficial in navigating the fractured political climate.
- Bruno Retailleau (64): Recently Barnier’s interior minister, Retailleau is known for his hardline stance on immigration and nationalist leanings.
- Thierry Breton (69): A former economy minister and recent European commissioner, Breton’s appointment would carry the risk of further scrutiny over his time at Atos, a once-prominent French technology company currently struggling with debt.
- François Baroin (59): A former minister and current chairman of Barclays France, Baroin has been openly critical of Macron’s policies and leadership.
- Jean Castex (59): A former prime minister under Macron, known for his management skills, currently heads the RATP (Paris public transport operator).
- Michel Barnier (73): While considered a possibility, Barnier himself appeared to rule out a return.
The new prime minister will face the immediate challenge of restarting budget negotiations for 2025 in an already volatile political climate.
