France's new PM renounces using special powers at parliament to seek compromise instead

French Prime Minister Sebastien Lecornu on October 3 ruled out using special constitutional powers to push the budget through parliament without a vote, putting the onus on lawmakers to agree on a compromise.

Sebastien Lecornu, a 39 year-old centrist, was appointed last month by President Emmanuel Macron after political turmoil over planned spending cuts that led to the fall of his predecessor.

Lecornu's pledge came ahead of crunch talks with political rivals - the far-right National Rally (RN) and Socialist Party - over how to pass a slimmed-down 2026 budget, a complex legislative balancing act that could lead to his ousting.

The two parties welcomed Lecornu's decision but said that was not enough, and that the new prime minister would have to do more if he wanted them to agree not to vote him out.

Lecornu, who last month became President Emmanuel Macron's fifth prime minister in two years, has been in complex talks with party leaders and unions to find a way to push the budget through a deeply fragmented parliament.

New prime minister wants to work with parliament

"In a functioning parliament — one that's been recently renewed and reflects the face of France — you can't just force things through," Lecornu said in his first televised address since being named by Macron three weeks ago.

The special clause in article 49.3 of the constitution allows prime ministers to skip votes and ram bills through parliament, but exposes them to a no-confidence vote that can bring down the government.

It has been criticized as disrespectful of lawmakers and undemocratic, but Lecornu's predecessors have often used it to pass complex legislation.

New prime minister calls for compromise

By refusing to use it, Lecornu, 39, is throwing the ball into parliament's camp, forcing lawmakers to find a compromise on the budget.

"What struck me is that behind the closed doors of my office, compromises are possible, discussions are serious, always sincere," Lecornu said.

Lecornu said little on substance, but said he was open to "improving" an unpopular pension reform and that making taxes fairer could be discussed.

A good step, but not enough, opposition says

Olivier Faure, the head of the Socialist Party, which is key to Lecornu's fate, said that beyond his pledge, his party wants to know if he is willing to meet its key demands, such as a vote in parliament to change the pension reform, which was adopted thanks to the 49.3 procedure.

"We don't just want procedural steps, we want the French people's lives to change," Faure said before meeting with Lecornu.

Boris Vallaud, the head of the Socialist group in parliament, told franceinfo broadcaster that Lecornu "must demonstrate today that he is ready to make concessions."

National Rally leader Marine Le Pen welcomed Lecornu's decision not to use the 49.3 special powers, but said her party still needed to hear about his policy plans.

After meeting with Lecornu, Le Pen said either the prime minister breaks away from Macron's policy or he will be voted out.