Three-quarters of people in France questioned in a poll say they believe Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu was justified in handing in his resignation yesterday.
In addition, 86% said they believe the current political crisis in France is embarrassing, with only 13% believing it to be a normal and acceptable state of affairs due to the lack of a clear majority for any party or alliance in the Assemblée nationale.
The poll sees Mr Lecornu’s actions as justified amid a wider crisis, and echoes comments from politicians across the spectrum including Socialist Party leader Olivier Faure, who say he has put the country ahead of his own political ambitions.
In addition, 47% of people claimed French President Emmanuel Macron is responsible for the current crisis – up 15% from the last poll of its kind – with only a third saying they believe the entire political establishment is collectively responsible.
Finally, 82% of people agree with the statement that “the political situation is hopeless, at an impasse. I don't see how the situation could be resolved and things could improve.”
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Mr Lecornu resigned on Monday, October 6 after 27 days in office, making him the shortest-reigning prime minister of the Fifth Republic.
His resignation came less than a day after he announced his cabinet with his selection reported to be at the heart of the issues.
Interior Minister and head of the right-wing Les Républicains Bruno Retailleau was not made aware of the appointment of Bruno Le Maire – a disliked figure in the party after he left to join Emmanuel Macron in 2017 – as Minister for Armed Forces.
Mr Retailleau then took to social media to say his party did not accept the newly-formed cabinet – which aside from Mr Le Maire’s appointment remained mostly unchanged from that under previous Prime Minister François Bayrou – and threatened to walk out of the fragile alliance.
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At the same time, the Socialists, Ecologists, and far-right Rassemblement National claimed the cabinet did not represent enough of a break from the policies of Mr Bayrou, and were threatening a vote of no confidence.
Faced with a lack of allies and attacks from all angles, Mr Lecornu handed in his resignation, which was accepted by President Emmanuel Macron.
Since the resignation, Bruno Le Maire has offered to step down from the ministerial role, in an attempt to bring Les Républicains back into the fold.
Mr Macron has reportedly given the prime minister until Wednesday to try and win back the party’s support and be reinstated to the role, as well as make efforts to gain enough support to prevent a vote of no confidence and therefore temporarily govern long enough to present a budget to MPs and Senators this autumn.
Mr Lecornu will meet with the Socialist Party tomorrow morning.
The Rassemblement National has refused an invitation for a meeting, and continues to call for new legislative elections.
For his part, Mr Macron is facing criticism for not addressing the nation since the announcement. He may be waiting for the Wednesday deadline to pass until doing so.
