Dissolution, early presidential election... The political crisis in France escalated on Tuesday, and President Emmanuel Macron, who asked outgoing Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu to pursue "final negotiations" in an attempt to form a coalition, finds himself more isolated than ever.

In a dramatic turn of events, former Prime Minister (2017-2020), Édouard Philippe, urged him to leave before the end of his term. He asked him to organize "an early presidential election" after the adoption of a budget for 2026.

Referring to the "collapse of the State" which, according to him, is "not being maintained", this traditional ally of the president considered that "we are not going to make what we have been experiencing for the past six months last another 18 months (until the 2027 presidential election, editor's note), it is much too long".

Already the day before, another former head of government (January-September 2024), once very close to Emmanuel Macron, Gabriel Attal, had launched the offensive, sharply distancing himself from the head of state whose decisions he "no longer understands."

At the same time, opponents continue to denounce the unprecedented political crisis in which France has been plunged since the surprise resignation on Monday of Sébastien Lecornu's government, appointed... fourteen hours earlier.

Common core?

The ground is at least slippery, if not mined, for the man who has become the shortest-serving Prime Minister of the Fifth Republic, before being tasked again on Monday evening by the President with conducting "final negotiations" by Wednesday to "define a platform for action and stability."

The resigning Interior Minister, Bruno Retailleau, who had provoked the crisis by threatening to leave the government on Sunday, notably in protest against the appointment of former Economy Minister Bruno Le Maire, moderated his position on Tuesday.

He proposed that his party, Les Républicains, participate in a "cohabitation" government with Macron's party on condition that LR "does not become diluted" in the presidential camp.

But, at the same time, he refused to participate in a meeting Tuesday morning at Matignon of the "common base", an alliance between the center and the right LR which has held together somewhat since the dissolution of the Assembly in 2024.

These new negotiations, if they were to result in a compromise, will not necessarily result in Sébastien Lecornu being reappointed to Matignon, according to Emmanuel Macron's entourage.

In the event of failure, the latter will take his "responsibilities" according to the same source, raising the threat of a new dissolution of the Assembly divided into three blocs without a clear majority (left, center and right, and extreme right).

Dispersed Left

In addition to the challenge of reuniting the common base, there is the threat of censorship, always brandished by the left and the National Rally.

"He can succeed," said an executive advisor on Monday evening, "if he secures the suspension of pension reform, for example," a demand of the Socialists.

The leader of the Socialist Party (PS) Olivier Faure called for "a change of direction" with the arrival of a "left-wing government" at Matignon.

This cohabitation is also being called for by the head of the Ecologists, Marine Tondelier, who nevertheless wishes to prepare "for all eventualities." She has thus proposed to "all" left-wing parties to meet on Tuesday morning.

But the Socialist Party announced in the evening that it would not participate "in the presence" of the radical left party LFI.

Jean-Luc Mélenchon's movement, which advocates for a "clear, straightforward, frank and massive solution," has not changed its line and will continue to demand Emmanuel Macron's resignation, brandishing the weapon of the impeachment motion, the admissibility of which is to be examined on Wednesday before the Bureau of the Assembly.

As for the National Rally, it too is only outlining two possible paths: dissolution, which is "absolutely unavoidable," according to its leader, Marine Le Pen, and the "resignation" of Emmanuel Macron, which would be "wise."

The far-right party and its allies intend to "systematically censure any government" until it is dissolved or resigns.