Macron calls on the parties not to overthrow the new government, which is already hanging by a thread.

ParisThe second government led by Sébastien Lecornu, appointed this Sunday, has already lasted more hours than the first one – which was only in force for 14 hours –, but it could go down in history as the second shortest of the Fifth Republic if either of the two motions of no confidence presented this Monday by the National Rally (RN), the far-right party of Marine Le Pen, and by La France Insoumise (LFI), the party considered to be radical left-wing and led by Jean-Luc Mélenchon, succeed. Both motions will be voted on this week, probably on Thursday, and it is not unlikely that one of the two will be approved.

The President of the Republic, who has avoided speaking publicly during the chaotic week in which France has been without a government or prime minister, called on political forces on Monday to be responsible in order not to overthrow the executive and put an end to the instability. "It is everyone's duty to work for stability," he warned in brief statements to reporters. Macron took the opportunity to boo the parties and leaders who have criticized Lecornu and accused the president of being responsible for the unstable situation the country is experiencing. "The political forces that have played at destabilizing Sébastien Lecornu are the only ones responsible for this disorder," he told them.

"I believe that many of those who have fueled division and speculation have not lived up to the moment France is experiencing or what the French people expect," he said, referring not only to extremist groups but also to the Republicans (right) and their leader, Bruno Retailleau, who have withdrawn their support for the government. Retailleau, who was until now interior minister and aspires to be the right-wing presidential candidate in the 2027 elections, was one of the instigators of the prime minister's resignation last Monday.

Criticism of Macron

It is also a message to members of his own party and allies with presidential aspirations, such as former prime ministers Gabriel Attal and Édouard Philippe, who openly criticized Macron"I don't understand the president's decisions," Attal said in the midst of political chaos last week.

However, it seems unlikely that the Elysée Palace tenant's words will change the position of the parties, who will vote on the motion this week. The spokesperson for the insubordinates In the Assembly, Mathilde Panot has recommended to the new members of the government that they not open the moving boxes of their ministries because they will soon have to pack their suitcases. "Censorship is coming," she warned X.

Whether or not the government falls this week is in the hands of the Socialists. If they vote in favor of one of the two motions of censure – if they did, they would be voting for the one presented by the insubordinates–, the government will fall. The party has set a single condition for Lecornu not to vote for a no-confidence vote: that he announce in the National Assembly this Tuesday the suspension of Macron's pension reform, which extended the retirement age to 64. Until now, the president has resisted touching the largest reform of his term, but now he could change his position to avoid worsening political instability.

Objective: to overcome the crisis

The first cabinet meeting isn't held until Tuesday, but this Monday Lecornu gathered the 34 members of the new executive to urge them to be "humble," "sober," and to "put their egos aside" in their role as ministers at this delicate moment for the country. "The new government's sole mission is to overcome the political crisis," the prime minister emphasized.

Unlike Lecornu's first, very brief government, the second has a low, almost technical, political profile. There are unusual profiles, such as senior officials, former business executives, and members of parliament unknown to the general public. Only a few names stand out, such as Justice Minister Gérald Darmanin and Culture Minister Rachida Dati.

The president and prime minister hope that a government with a low political profile will help end the instability. However, the reaction of opposition political leaders suggests the government will not last long. "No comment," wrote Socialist leader Olivier Faure on X in reaction to the executive's appointment.