Paris: French President Emmanuel Macron regards the two no-confidence motions filed against the reappointed government of Sebastien Lecornu as "motions for dissolution," according to government spokeswoman Maud Bregeon. During a weekly news briefing, Bregeon conveyed Macron's observations and his call for "restraint" and "exemplary conduct" amidst a "fragmented" political landscape.
According to Anadolu Agency, Bregeon emphasized Macron's view that the no-confidence motions reflect a reluctance to engage in debate and should be interpreted as motions for dissolution. Macron underscored the significance of 'institutional stability' and 'compromise' amid the political challenges. Bregeon further highlighted the government's intent to demonstrate its capability to take action without acting recklessly, even as Lecornu acknowledged France's political crisis, though not yet a crisis of regime.
Bregeon called on political parties to engage in the budgetary debate, particularly during this pivotal period that excludes the use of Article 49.3, marking an unprecedented opportunity for comprehensive discussion before Parliament's final vote. She noted that Lecornu's upcoming policy speech, anticipated around 3 pm local time (1300GMT) on Tuesday, will aim to clarify the 2026 budget, focusing on asking more from the wealthiest while fostering growth and employment.
The broadcaster BFM TV reported Lecornu's plans to deliver a "crisis exit speech," reinforcing that a lack of progress this week could make government dissolution inevitable. Both the far-right National Rally (RN) and the left-wing La France Insoumise (LFI) have submitted no-confidence motions against Lecornu's government, with the Socialist Party signaling its intention to follow suit if its demands remain unmet.
Macron reappointed Lecornu as France's prime minister late Friday, following Lecornu's resignation earlier that week. Lecornu initially assumed the role after Francois Bayrou lost a confidence vote in the National Assembly on September 8. Bayrou had previously introduced a 2026 budget framework aiming to save nearly £44 billion ($51 billion) to mitigate France's soaring public debt, which stands at 115% of its GDP. With one of the EU's largest budget deficits at 5.8% of GDP, budget negotiations continue to be a contentious issue in French politics. The failure to reach an agreement on the 2025 budget last year led to the collapse of the Michel Barnier government in December, following a unified no-confidence motion from left-wing and far-right parties.