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illuminem summarises for you the essential news of the day. Read the full piece on BBC News or enjoy below:
🗞️ Driving the news: French Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu has resigned just 26 days after taking office, marking one of the shortest premierships in modern French history
• The resignation came hours after the unveiling of his cabinet, which faced strong opposition in the National Assembly for retaining much of the previous government’s lineup
• Lecornu tendered his resignation following a one-hour meeting with President Emmanuel Macron at the Elysée Palace
🔭 The context: Lecornu was appointed in early September 2025 to replace François Bayrou, whose government collapsed amid internal disagreements and parliamentary backlash
• His swift departure highlights the political volatility facing President Macron’s administration, which lacks an absolute majority and is navigating growing discontent across party lines
• Opposition parties had warned they would vote down Lecornu’s government over its perceived lack of renewal and reform ambition
🌍 Why it matters for the planet: Political instability in France — a key EU player — risks stalling major climate and energy policy initiatives, including the country’s 2030 decarbonisation roadmap, nuclear energy strategy, and commitments under the EU Green Deal
• Leadership vacuums complicate France’s ability to influence European environmental regulation and climate diplomacy ahead of COP30 in Brazil
⏭️ What's next: President Macron must now urgently appoint a new prime minister capable of commanding broader parliamentary support
• The decision will be critical not only for domestic governance but also for ensuring continuity in France’s climate agenda, energy reforms, and EU-level negotiations
• A caretaker administration may operate in the interim, delaying legislative action on key sustainability priorities
💬 One quote: “The government was dead on arrival,” said opposition MP Clémence Guetté, citing public frustration over a lack of change
📈 One stat: Lecornu’s 26-day tenure is the shortest for a French prime minister since the Fifth Republic was established in 1958
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