French Prime Minister Sebastian Lecornu announced his resignation and stated that President Emmanuel Macron will likely appoint a new prime minister within 48 hours, noting that his government mission ended as of Wednesday evening. Meanwhile, far-right National Rally leader Marine Le Pen threatened to topple any prime minister appointed by Macron unless new elections are called.

Lecornu explained in press statements that the majority in the National Assembly rejects dissolving the parliament, considering the possibility of this step “increasingly unlikely.”

He added: “I informed President Macron that dissolving parliament has become difficult, and it is likely we will have a new prime minister within two days.”

Lecornu emphasized that the next phase requires quickly appointing a new government to avoid any political vacuum, confirming he will continue to support a smooth transition of power to the new leadership.

Yesterday, Lecornu held a “final” round of negotiations with various parties in an attempt to resolve the political crisis engulfing the country.

He said he sensed a “willingness” among some parties to reach an agreement on approving the budget before the end of the year, which could help “avoid” new legislative elections.

The Socialist Party’s demands focus on suspending the pension reform, the most prominent measure of Macron’s second term, which faced sharp criticism from the left and unions. Meanwhile, resigned minister and former Prime Minister Élisabeth Borne indicated the possibility of conceding this if it is a “condition for stability” in France, while Socialist Party leader Olivier Faure expressed disappointment at not receiving any tangible guarantees, warning it might be just “smoke and mirrors.”

The National Assembly’s bureau rejected a proposal to impeach Macron submitted by the France Unbowed movement during its members’ meeting on Wednesday.

Conversely, far-right leader Marine Le Pen warned that her party, the National Rally, will obstruct the formation of any new government and called on Macron to “dissolve the National Assembly or resign.”

Le Pen said: “We will not grant confidence to any government. Enough, this joke has gone on too long.” The radical left leadership also hinted at withholding confidence from any government continuing Macron’s policies, while the Republicans and Horizons parties insisted on rejecting any suspension of the pension reform, considering it a “red line.”

Lecornu’s consultation program included meetings with communists and the Greens. Sources close to the presidency indicated that Macron “will take responsibility” if negotiations fail, amid a parliament divided into three main blocs: left, center-right, and far-right, without a clear majority.

Pressure on the president intensified as support waned among some of his closest political figures, including former Prime Minister Édouard Philippe, who called on Macron to resign in an “organized” and “honorable” manner after the budget is passed in a few months.

A poll conducted by Odoxa-Backbone showed that 57% of French people hold the president “fully responsible” for his prime minister’s resignation, while 70% support the idea of his resignation, reflecting the extent of public discontent over the current crisis.