New Prime Minister, Government, Budget: The Very Tight Timetable that Emmanuel Macron Must Respect
The Finance Bill (PLF) must be submitted no later than Monday 13th October 2025. And before that, we must appoint a Prime Minister, who must also form his government.
The clock is ticking for Emmanuel Macron. After leaving 48 hours Sébastien Lecornu to conduct “final negotiations” with the political forces present in the National Assembly, the resigning Prime Minister returned the challenge to the President by telling him that in 48 hours, it was possible to appoint the next tenant of Matignon.
No choice, you have to go: a little over an hour after this declaration, the Élysée confirmed on Wednesday 8th October that the head of state would indeed appoint a new Prime Minister within the allotted time.
And time is running out, because if France wants to have a budget for 2026, the last day for table the Finance bill (PLF), that is this Monday 13th October 2025. And Sébastien Lecornu assured him, it will be done. So here’s what to expect for the next few days.
Friday October 10: end of the ultimatum for a new Prime Minister
With time, everything goes away, and Sébastien Lecornu would like to leave Matignon and stop handling current affairs while waiting for his successor.
If we stick to the 48 hours allotted, France should have a new Prime Minister no later than Friday 10th October 2025, in the evening. Emmanuel Macron does not have to address the Nation to say who he appoints to Matignon, a simple one press release from the Élysée is enough.
But, that being said, it is very possible that Sébastien Lecornu will spend one more night on rue de Varenne, because Emmanuel Macron is presiding this Thursday evening entrance ceremony to the Pantheon by Robert Badinter.
If the president is also known for his unpredictability, it is still better to bet on an announcement on Friday 10th October 2025.
And so, logically, if Emmanuel Macron, who has remained silent since the resignation of Sébastien Lecornu on Monday October 6, 2025, must make a statement to the French, it would probably take place this Friday. In any case, the resigning Prime Minister assured Léa Salamé, wednesday at 8 p.m France 2, that the head of state would speak “in due time”.
Saturday 11th October and Sunday 12th October: the new government appointed
A Prime Minister is good. A government‘it’s better. Especially since the tenant of Matignon cannot table the Finance bill like that, alone, in his corner: this project must be presented to the Council of Ministers, as it is written on the government website dedicated to the budget.
So before getting there, we need ministers. And the nominations should take place this weekend, Saturday 11th October or Sunday 12th October. If it took Sébastien Lecornu three weeks to appoint a government that lasted only one night, on paper, that sounds like a mission impossible.
That said, impossible is not French. Because after having appointed this government urgently, it will have to meet quickly in council so that the famous draft budget can be presented by Monday.
Monday October 13: deadline for submitting the draft budget
Because Monday 13th October is D-day: the deadline for submitting all documents and annexes relating to finance Bill for the year 2026.
Why this date? Simply because there are deadlines to respect for Parliament to examine, debate, and amend the text, as indicated in article 40 of the Organic Law n° 2001-692 of August 1, 2001 relating to finance laws.
The National Assembly must decide, at first reading, within forty days after the tabling of a finance bill. The Senate must decide at first reading within twenty days after being seized.
But in all this, there is good news. The council of Ministers can be held on Monday 13th October and the text can be submitted immediately.
Provided that there is a draft budget completed in such a short time. Sébastien Lecornu assured him, there will be one to file on Monday. This is also confirmed by the resigning Minister of the Economy, Roland Lescure, this Thursday, October 9, 2025.
We will have a Prime Minister by tomorrow and discussions will continue, obviously, and it is my responsibility, so that we have a budget in 2026. This budget will be good, both for deficits and for growth.
We don’t know if the minutes are hot or acidic, but in any case, they pass by.
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