Europe
Lecornu reappointed France's PM days after resigning
French President Emmanuel Macron has reappointed Sébastien Lecornu as prime minister just four days after his resignation, amid France’s ongoing struggles to pass a budget that would remedy its debt issues. Lecornu was previously prime minister for 26 days until resigning on 6 October. He resigned shortly after announcing his cabinet appointments, following heavy criticism from both allied and opposition parties. “I accept — out of duty — the mission entrusted to me by the President of the Republic to do everything possible to provide France with a budget by the end of the year and to address the daily problems of our compatriots,” Lecornu wrote on Friday evening after his reappointment. “We must put an end to this political crisis that is exasperating the French people and to this instability that is detrimental to France's image and its interests." Right-wing party The Republicans have said they will not participate in Lecornu’s second government. France’s Socialist Party said it would seek to topple his government if it did not halt a 2023 plan to raise the retirement age. The appointment of former finance minister Bruno Le Maire to Lecornu’s short-lived first cabinet as defence minister resulted in parties acros
French unions protest over budget cut plans
Hundreds of thousands marched in trade union demonstrations in France, pressuring new Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu to rethink budget cuts and act on wages, pensions and public services. According to an Interior Ministry source, as many as 800,000 people were expected to take part in the strikes and protests. As a result of the protests, there was disruption to public transport as train, bus and tram drivers went on strike. Nine out of 10 pharmacies were also closed, with pharmacists and hospital staff protesting against pricing policies. Many primary and secondary school teachers, staff and students also joined the protests. There were more than 250 demonstrations and marches in cities from Paris to Marseille, Nantes, Lyon and Montpellier. “The anger is huge, and so is the determination – my message to Mr Lecornu today is this: it’s the streets that must decide the budget,” said Sophie Binet, head of the leftwing CGT union. France faces mounting pressure to rein in its budget deficit, which widened to 5.8% of GDP in the past year. As much as Lacornu wants to reduce that number, he would be reliant on other parties to push through legislation. Previous French Prime Minister, Fracois Bayrou, was ousted by pa