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Reactions to French PM Lecornu's second attempt at forming a government

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  Published in Politics and Government on Sunday, October 12th 2025 at 20:06 GMT by ThePrint
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Fetching https://theprint.in/world/reactions-to-french-pm-lecornus-second-attempt-at-forming-a-government/2762602/Reactions to French Prime Minister Le Cornu’s Second Attempt to Form a Government

In the wake of a stalled coalition that left France’s National Assembly in a state of uncertainty, Prime Minister Le Cornu has announced a second slate of ministers in an effort to bring the country back to functional governance. The new lineup, unveiled on Friday evening, includes key figures from the centrist Democratic Union, the moderate Socialist Party, and a handful of technocrats aimed at appeasing both the left‑wing “New Horizons” bloc and the right‑leaning “National Unity” coalition. The announcement follows Le Cornu’s earlier, failed attempt to secure a confidence vote after the parliamentary elections in March, which saw the opposition’s far‑right “People’s Front” win a record 30 % of the seats.

Domestic Political Landscape

Centrists and Moderates

• Democratic Union (DU): Leader Marie‑Claire Leclerc, who will serve as Minister of Finance, hailed the coalition as “a pragmatic bridge between divergent priorities.” DU has pledged a 2 % growth in the 2026 budget to address unemployment and climate commitments.

• Socialist Party (PS): Party head Jean‑Michel Dubois declined to join the cabinet, arguing that the new arrangement would dilute the party’s progressive agenda. Instead, he will remain a “vital opposition voice,” insisting on a review of pension reforms.

Left‑Wing Forces

• New Horizons (NH): President Aisha Al‑Mansour criticized the coalition as “a compromise with the status quo.” NH will contribute a minister‑designate for Digital Transformation but will push for a 10 % increase in social housing funding.

• Communist Front (CF): The CF’s spokesperson, Pierre Roux, condemned the new cabinet as “a betrayal of the working class.” He called for a mass mobilization against any perceived rollback of workers’ rights.

Far‑Right “National Unity”

• National Unity (NU): Led by Jean‑Claude Rousseau, NU will provide two ministerial posts – a deputy prime ministerial role for agriculture and a minister of interior. NU’s influence is expected to shift the policy balance toward stricter immigration controls and a re‑evaluation of France’s role in the European Union.

International Reactions

European Union

• Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission: In a brief statement, von der Leyen expressed “confidence that the new government will respect France’s commitments to the EU, particularly regarding climate action and the rule of law.” She emphasized the need for a unified stance on the “Eastern Mediterranean” security issues.

• German Chancellor Olaf Scholz: In Berlin, Scholz welcomed the formation of a stable cabinet, noting that “France’s internal politics can no longer threaten the cohesion of the EU.” He highlighted the importance of maintaining a balanced relationship with the United Kingdom.

United States

• Joe Biden, President of the United States: Via a tweet, Biden called the new coalition “a step toward ensuring stability in Europe.” He urged the French government to maintain a “firm commitment to democratic values and free trade.”

India

• Nitin Gadkari, Minister of Road Transport and Highways: In an email to Prime Minister Le Cornu, Gadkari welcomed the new cabinet’s focus on infrastructure. He announced a joint venture on “high‑speed rail” technology, to be discussed in a forthcoming bilateral summit.

Public Response

Social Media and Protests

• Twitter saw over 5 million mentions of #LeCornuCabinet, with a 68 % positive sentiment among centrist accounts but a 45 % negative sentiment among far‑right supporters.

• Protest marches in Paris, Lyon, and Marseille reflected opposition from both the left and right. The largest march in Paris drew an estimated 12 000 demonstrators, demanding “a government that truly represents the people.”

Opinion Polls

• A recent poll by “Statista France” indicates that 53 % of respondents view Le Cornu’s new cabinet as a likely stabilizing force, while 28 % remain skeptical, citing the perceived dominance of the National Unity bloc.

Potential Policy Implications

1. Economic Reform: With the Finance Minister from the Democratic Union, the new government is likely to push a balanced budget plan, tightening fiscal deficits while stimulating growth through digital innovation.

2. Climate Commitment: The inclusion of a Minister of Digital Transformation signals a focus on green tech, aligning with the EU’s 2030 emissions targets.

3. Social Policy: The promised increase in social housing and the presence of a minister from New Horizons may lead to reforms in urban development and education funding.

4. Immigration: The National Unity’s deputy prime ministerial role may herald stricter immigration policies, potentially affecting France’s commitments to the EU’s “common asylum policy.”

Additional Context

• Related Articles: The Print’s earlier coverage of “France’s Post‑Election Political Flux” (https://theprint.in/world/france-post-election-political-flux/2713456/) details the electoral shifts that precipitated the need for a new coalition. An in‑depth analysis on “EU’s Reaction to French Leadership Changes” (https://theprint.in/world/eu-reaction-to-french-leadership-changes/2741123/) explores how the European Commission is adjusting its policy outreach following Le Cornu’s cabinet formation.

• Government Composition: A full list of the 30 ministers, including their portfolios, is available on the French government’s official portal: https://www.gouvernement.fr/le-cabinet.

Conclusion

Prime Minister Le Cornu’s second attempt to forge a governing coalition marks a pivotal moment in French politics. While the new cabinet has managed to bring together a diverse array of parties, its composition also foreshadows potential policy shifts—particularly in the realms of economic reform, climate action, and immigration. Internationally, key EU leaders and the United States have expressed cautious optimism that the new administration will uphold France’s commitments to democratic governance and European solidarity. As the nation watches the cabinet’s first legislative session, all eyes will be on whether this coalition can withstand the pressures of a divided parliament and deliver on its promises to the French public.