PARIS (AP) \u2014 With his government hanging by a thread, France\u2019s newly reappointed prime minister must make concessions to his political opponents to avoid a no-confidence vote later this week, as the country struggles to end a lingering political crisis.<\/p>\n
Sebastien Lecornu<\/a>, renamed by President Emmanuel Macron after a week of political turmoil, met with his Cabinet on Tuesday to discuss the draft 2026 budget that lawmakers will examine over the next 70 days. Lecornu is set to deliver a policy speech at the National Assembly later in the day outlining the new government\u2019s priorities. <\/p>\n Far-right leader Marine Le Pen\u2019s National Rally and the far-left France Unbowed wasted no time in submitting censure motions against Lecornu, which will be debated Thursday.<\/p>\n The opposite sides of the political spectrum have slammed Macron\u2019s decision to reappoint Lecornu, France\u2019s former defense minister and fourth prime minister in barely a year. With less than two years before the next presidential election, National Rally is urging Macron to call another early parliamentary vote while France Unbowed wants Macron to step down.<\/p>\n The two parties do not hold enough seats to topple Lecornu\u2019s government on their own, but the prime minister could quickly be undone if the Socialist Party and Green lawmakers join forces with them.<\/p>\n To avoid censorship and deliver a budget for the European Union\u2019s second-largest economy before looming deadlines, Lecornu may be forced to abandon an unpopular pension reform that was one of Macron\u2019s signature policies in his second presidential term. Rammed through parliament without a vote<\/a> in 2023 despite mass protests, the pension change gradually raises the retirement age from 62 to 64. Opposition parties want it scrapped.<\/p>\n The Socialist Party has demanded the law be repealed and those calling for its suspension have gained a high-profile ally. Nobel Prize-winning economist Philippe Aghion<\/a> told broadcaster France 2 that it should be suspended until the next presidential election to be held in 2027.<\/p>\n \u201cI think we need to stop the clock now until the presidential election,\u201d Aghion said, arguing that doing so would be \u201cthe way to calm things down\u201d and \u201cit doesn\u2019t cost very much to pause it.\u201d<\/p>\n Lecornu\u2019s re-appointment is widely seen as Macron\u2019s last chance to reinvigorate his second term. His centrist camp lacks a majority in the National Assembly and he is facing increasing criticism even within its ranks<\/a>.<\/p>\n