The French government assembled by Prime Minister Sebastien Lecornu has proven to be a fragile house of cards, collapsing at the very first touch of political pressure. The swift and total nature of its disintegration has revealed the incredibly weak foundation upon which President Emmanuel Macron’s administration is now built.
Lecornu spent weeks carefully trying to construct this house, negotiating with various political factions to find a stable arrangement. The unveiling of his cabinet on Sunday was the moment he presented his finished structure to the world. It was meant to be a symbol of renewed strength and purpose.
However, the first touch of opposition sent the entire edifice tumbling down. The criticism of the “largely unchanged” cabinet was not a gentle breeze but a political gale force. The cards, lacking the glue of genuine political support or legitimacy, were instantly blown away.
The speed of the collapse was breathtaking. There was no struggle, no prolonged debate. The declaration by opponents that the government was illegitimate was enough to cause the structure to fail. It revealed that there was nothing holding it together beyond the President’s initial appointment.
This episode demonstrates the precariousness of Macron’s political position. He is trying to build governments on a foundation of sand. Without a solid parliamentary majority or broad public consensus, any administration he constructs will be a house of cards, perpetually at risk of collapsing at the slightest touch of dissent.