French President Macron could name new prime minister within 48 hours, says outgoing PM Lecornu

The much-awaited interview left more questions than answers as a tight-lipped Lecornu did not make any major announcements about a potential solution to the country's political crisis.

French President Emmanuel Macron is expected to appoint a new prime minister within the next 48 hours, outgoing Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu said on Wednesday night, after stating that his mission of negotiating with other parties was now “over”.Speaking to French broadcaster France 2, Lecornu confirmed that he had met with the president earlier in the day to deliver the outcome of his latest round of consultations.While he ruled out a return to the premiership, he insisted “a path is possible” and called for a government “completely disconnected from presidential ambitions for 2027.”Lecornu’s comments capped another day of uncertainty in France, as Macron faced mounting pressure to clarify his next move following the latest collapse of his government earlier this week.A path away from snap electionsLecornu dismissed growing speculation about new parliamentary elections. “There is an absolute majority in the National Assembly opposed to dissolution,” he said, claiming that “210 MPs want a platform of stability.”That majority, he argued, could give Macron a foundation to name a new prime minister, but refused to give any more information.While some of Macron’s former allies -- including his ex-prime minister Édouard Philippe-- have called on him to step down after passing the 2026 budget, Lecornu firmly rejected the idea.“It’s not the moment to change the president.” Lecornu cited global instability and France’s diplomatic role as further reasons for maintaining stability at the top.Lecornu confirmed that a new budget bill will be submitted on Monday. “It won’t be perfect,” he admitted. “There will be a lot to debate.”“The political crisis must be resolved, a government appointed, and a real debate opened in parliament,” Lecornu urged.Revisiting Pension ReformOn the deeply unpopular pension reform that fueled mass protests over the past few years, Lecornu said the issue remained a “source of blockage” in parliament and that “a path must be found” to reopen debate.Still, suspending the reform would be costly, he warned: “Giving up on it would cost no less than three billion euros by 2027.”Throughout his short tenure, Lecornu described himself as "a monk-soldier" committed to discipline and duty rather than ambition.He said he accepted Macron’s 48-hour mission “to demonstrate that I wasn’t chasing the job of prime minister.”Asked if he considered his mission a success, Lecornu paused before admitting: “Not completely. I tried everything.”His resignation on Monday ended the shortest premiership in modern French history, lasting only 27 days.