From Le Monde, October 6/7:
The resignation of Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu ushers in a new period of political instability, though the Constitution, the law and republican tradition provide for the country to continue to function.
A sense of déjà vu. The resignation of Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu on Monday, October 6, once again plunged France into a period of political uncertainty. A series of unprecedented questions about how the country can continue to function arises, ahead of a contentious and crucial budget debate.
Who is now governing the country?
When a prime minister resigns, it is customary for the government to ensure continuity by handling day-to-day affairs until a new cabinet is appointed. This was the role carried out by the outgoing ministers from François Bayrou's government since September 9.Even though they had only been in office for 836 minutes and did not have time to carry out the handover with their predecessors, it is the 18 ministers appointed on the evening of October 5 who, along with Lecornu, must now handle this interim period. "The decree of appointment for the ministers has been published, the president has accepted the resignation, so this is now a caretaker government," explained Paul Cassia, professor of public law at Université Paris-I-Panthéon-Sorbonne.
Legally, this situation is identical to what followed Bayrou's resignation. The caretaker ministers may only carry out politically neutral administrative acts, such as approving applications from non-profit organizations. They are not authorized to create new rights or obligations for the public, make significant appointments, or enact reforms. However, they retain the ability to make urgent decisions in response to a terrorist attack or a public health crisis, for instance. A caretaker government cannot be brought down by the Assemblée Nationale, as its resignation has already taken effect.
Can a new prime minister be appointed?
Once again, it falls on President Emmanuel Macron to choose the next prime minister. There is no deadline imposed on him. In theory, he can select anyone, including reappointing Lecornu.He needs to find someone who can build consensus, to avoid another swift resignation or a rapid no-confidence vote in the Assemblée Nationale.
It appears unlikely that Macron will pick another prime minister from the centrist bloc, given the failures of both Bayrou and Lecornu. Furthermore, tensions between Macron's supporters and the right make it uncertain whether he would choose a prime minister from the ranks of the conservative Les Républicains (LR), who have been in government with Macron's coalition since September 2024.
The president may also turn to the left or to the far-right Rassemblement National (RN) in an effort to form a government, though both are also minorities in the Assemblée Nationale and would have to negotiate alliances or non-aggression pacts with other political forces to avoid being brought down. The ban on standing for election handed down to far-right leader Marine Le Pen at the end of March as part of her sentence for embezzlement of public funds does not prevent her from being appointed as prime minister.
To overcome political divisions, Macron could also call on a non-partisan figure to form a "technical" government to handle urgent matters while a longer-term solution is sought.
Is a new dissolution of the Assemblée Nationale possible?
If deadlocks persist in a Parliament divided into three major blocs with no clear majority, one solution could be to dissolve the Assemblée Nationale and send voters back to the polls.Legally, this is possible since the minimum period required by the Constitution for using this "presidential weapon" has been met: The last legislative elections took place more than a year ago, in June and July 2024.
The obstacle is more of a political one: Macron's chances of winning a majority in new elections seem slim, while the prospect of a victory by the RN is very real.Could Macron resign or be removed from office?
....MUCH MORE
Related, June 20, 2024:French Politics: If He Doesn't Get His Way, President Macron Has The Option Of Invoking Article 16 And Becoming King
Or not, see second source.
And maybe not King but as close to the Divine Right Of Kings as you are likely to find in a former Democracy. See also de Gaulle; Sun King....
