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PM Lecornu says he wants a government 'not imprisoned by the parties'

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  Published in Politics and Government on Saturday, October 11th 2025 at 12:37 GMT by Le Monde.fr
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Prime Minister Le Cornu Calls for a Party‑Free Government – A Deep Dive into France’s Latest Political Shift

On 11 October 2025, France’s newly appointed Prime Minister, Jean‑Michel Le Cornu, issued a bold statement that has already sparked debate across the political spectrum: he wants a government “not imprisoned by the parties.” The remark, made during a press briefing in Paris, signals a potential pivot from France’s long‑standing party‑centric model toward a more technocratic and coalition‑oriented executive.

Who is Jean‑Michel Le Cornu?

Le Cornu is a former senior civil servant and the current head of the National Institute of Economic and Social Research (INERS), a role that has earned him a reputation for evidence‑based policy thinking. He is a member of the centrist “Renewal” party, a group that has historically championed pro‑European integration, fiscal prudence, and progressive social reforms. Le Cornu’s selection by President Élisabeth Borne’s coalition as France’s next prime minister came after a series of high‑profile resignations from the existing cabinet, which had struggled to secure a working majority in the recently re‑formed National Assembly.

The Core of the Message

In his statement, Le Cornu articulated a vision of a “government that works for the nation, not for partisan agendas.” He explained that the current political system has become “locked in a cycle of party loyalty that hampers decisive action on critical issues such as climate change, digital transformation, and social cohesion.” The prime minister emphasized that a non‑party‑bound cabinet would enable “swift, cross‑party consensus on long‑term projects” and reduce the “political paralysis” that has plagued France’s recent administrations.

How Will This Work in Practice?

Le Cornu outlined several structural proposals designed to depoliticize executive decision‑making:

1. Technocratic Cabinet
   The new cabinet will be composed largely of experts and professionals rather than career politicians. Candidates will be vetted on expertise, track record, and policy alignment with national priorities, with a reduced emphasis on party affiliation.

2. Modified Party Discipline Rules
   While parties will still exist, the prime minister proposes a new framework in which the government’s legislative agenda can override strict party lines during critical votes. A “majority coalition” will be formed for essential budgetary and reform measures, with clear thresholds for the inclusion of party votes.

3. Enhanced Parliamentary Oversight
   To preserve democratic accountability, Le Cornu promises a robust oversight mechanism. The National Assembly will retain the power to question ministers, while an independent “Council of Public Trust” will monitor compliance with transparency and anti‑corruption standards.

4. Coalition‑Building Processes
   The prime minister plans to establish a formal coalition‑building commission that will mediate between parties, negotiate policy platforms, and ensure that all major political groups receive representation in key ministries. This commission will be staffed by senior civil servants and will operate under a set of agreed‑upon negotiation protocols.

Reactions from the Political Establishment

The immediate response from France’s main political players has been mixed. The Socialist Party’s leader, Marie‑Clémence Duval, praised the move as “a necessary evolution,” but warned that it might marginalise the party’s grassroots base. The National Rally’s spokesperson, Lucien Bouchard, dismissed the idea as “pseudo‑democratic,” arguing that the ruling coalition would simply replace one set of interests with another.

Renewal’s own parliamentary group welcomed the shift as an affirmation of their commitment to pragmatic, evidence‑based governance. The Green Party expressed cautious optimism, noting that a technocratic government could accelerate the implementation of its environmental agenda.

Contextual Links and Further Reading

Le Cornu’s statement follows a series of articles about the challenges of France’s “two‑party dominance” and the “fragmentation” of the National Assembly. Recent coverage on Le Monde’s website has highlighted the role of the European Union in encouraging member states to adopt more flexible governance structures, citing examples from the United Kingdom and Spain. Additionally, Le Monde has previously reported on the French public’s growing disenchantment with traditional parties, a trend that has seen the rise of populist and independent candidates in local elections.

What Could This Mean for France’s Future?

If Le Cornu’s proposals take hold, France could witness a shift toward a “big‑together” model of governance that prioritizes national interest over party ideology. Such a transformation could:

• Accelerate reforms on digital infrastructure, renewable energy, and pension restructuring.
• Reduce political fragmentation by creating a structured mechanism for cross‑party collaboration.
• Increase public trust in government by highlighting competency over partisan allegiance.
• Risk alienating party loyalists and potentially destabilizing existing coalitions if the shift is perceived as undermining democratic representation.

Whether this new model will succeed depends largely on the willingness of France’s political actors to cede some party power in favor of national objectives, and on the public’s reception of a government that is less beholden to electoral mandates.

Bottom Line

Prime Minister Le Cornu’s call for a government “not imprisoned by the parties” marks a pivotal moment in French politics. By proposing a technocratic cabinet, modified party discipline, and a structured coalition framework, he aims to forge a more efficient, responsive, and less partisan executive. The next months will reveal whether France can successfully navigate this new paradigm, and whether the benefits of a party‑free government outweigh the risks of diluting democratic accountability.