New French Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu has announced he is withdrawing a controversial plan to abolish two public holidays, marking his first significant policy reversal since taking taking office. The move comes as Lecornu seeks to build a broad consensus for the 2026 national budget, which he hopes can pass the National Assembly.
Speaking in an interview published Saturday, September 13, across several regional daily newspapers, Lecornu stated, “I have decided to withdraw the suppression of two public holidays.” He emphasized his approach to governance, adding, “It is always in moments of deadlock and tension that our country has advanced. My state of mind is simple: I want neither instability nor immobility.”
The decision overturns one of the most contentious proposals put forward by his predecessor, François Bayrou, in his draft finance bill. Beyond the holiday cuts, the new Prime Minister also confirmed he would not pursue the idea of a new “conclave” – a special, closed meeting – on pension reforms, a proposal already rejected by social partners including unions and employers. Lecornu acknowledged the political tightrope he walks, saying, “The future budget may not completely align with my convictions… It’s even almost certain not to!”
In a clear gesture towards the political left, Lecornu expressed readiness for “modern and frank parliamentary discussion” with the Socialist Party, the Ecologists (Green Party), and the Communist Party. However, he explicitly excluded the far-left La France insoumise (LFI), stating, “This republican left, whose values we know, must emancipate itself from La France insoumise, which excludes itself from discussion and prefers disorder.” He also firmly rejected any “political agreement with the National Rally,” the far-right party.
On the contentious “Zucman tax,” which aims to impose higher taxes on France’s wealthiest individuals, the Prime Minister remained non-committal. He indicated a willingness to work on “questions of fiscal justice and the distribution of effort without ideology,” but cautioned against harming “professional assets,” which he argued are crucial for job creation and economic growth in France. Lecornu also announced plans to present a “major act of decentralization, clarification, and local freedom” to Parliament, with consultations slated to begin next week.
