🔗 Share this article France's Premier Quits After Barely Three Weeks Amid Widespread Criticism of New Ministers The French government instability has intensified after the freshly installed PM unexpectedly quit within hours of announcing a government. Rapid Exit Amid Political Turmoil The prime minister was the third French prime minister in a single year, as the nation continued to stumble from one government turmoil to another. He quit hours before his first cabinet meeting on Monday afternoon. France's leader approved Lecornu's resignation on Monday morning. Intense Opposition Regarding New Cabinet The prime minister had faced furious criticism from rival parties when he revealed a recent administration that was virtually unchanged since last month's ousting of his preceding leader, François Bayrou. The proposed new government was controlled by President Emmanuel Macron's supporters, leaving the administration largely similar. Opposition Reaction Rival groups said the prime minister had backtracked on the "significant change" with past politics that he had vowed when he came to power from the disliked Bayrou, who was dismissed on 9 September over a proposed budget squeeze. Next Political Direction The issue now is whether the president will decide to terminate the legislature and call another snap election. Marine Le Pen's political ally, the president of the far-right leader's opposition group, said: "There cannot be a restoration of calm without a new election and the parliament's termination." He continued, "It was very clearly the president who determined this administration himself. He has understood nothing of the political situation we are in." Election Demands The far-right party has pushed for another election, thinking they can boost their seats and presence in parliament. The country has gone through a time of uncertainty and political crisis since the national leader called an inconclusive snap election last year. The legislature remains divided between the three blocs: the progressive side, the conservative wing and the central bloc, with no definitive control. Financial Pressure A financial plan for next year must be passed within coming days, even though political parties are at loggerheads and the prime minister's term ended in barely three weeks. Opposition Motion Parties from the progressive side to far right were to hold meetings on Monday to decide whether or not to support to dismiss France's leader in a no-confidence vote, and it seemed that the administration would fall before it had even started work. Lecornu seemingly decided to resign before he could be dismissed. Ministerial Appointments The majority of the key cabinet roles declared on the previous evening remained the unchanged, including the justice minister as legal affairs leader and Rachida Dati as cultural affairs leader. The position of economy minister, which is essential as a split assembly struggles to agree on a budget, went to the president's supporter, a government partner who had earlier worked as business and power head at the start of the president's latest mandate. Surprise Selection In a shocking development, a longtime Macron ally, a government partner who had worked as economic policy head for an extended period of his presidency, came back to cabinet as national security leader. This enraged officials across the spectrum, who viewed it as a sign that there would be no questioning or alteration of Macron's pro-business stance.