Sebastien Lecornu and Emmanuel Macron. Photo credit: information.tv5monde.com
A new political crisis in France has resulted in Macron's resignation as leader. Sebastien Lecornu, the former defense minister, has now been officially announced as President Emmanuel Macron's replacement.
The day before the change, the National Assembly passed a vote of no confidence, toppling Prime Minister François Bayrou's center-right minority government. It was the second fall of a government in less than a year. The 39-year-old new prime minister has been serving as the defense minister.
News outlets reported on protesters in France, jubilating over the removal of Emmanuel Macron, as the former French leader is blamed for the current political crisis due to his failed policies. However, political analysts believe the new prime minister will not be able to tackle France's internal problems.
There are more than just internal problems in France, which is in political instability due to pressure from the EU to lower its budget deficit. The parliament is sharply divided, and it is unclear if the new administration will be able to pass the necessary budget measures.
It is impossible to overlook external problems involving former French colonies that have gained independence from their colonial overlord. Due to the military takeover of various Francophone African nations, which prevented the government from easily accessing the wealth of its former colonies, the nation is currently facing severe economic difficulties.
France lost authority over 14 African nations as they became independent, mostly in the middle of the 20th century, especially from the 1950s to the 1970s. Nonetheless, considering how much the European nation's economy depends on resources from Africa, France has maintained its positive connections.
In 2023, the French aid organization ACTED was outlawed by the military junta in the Republic of Niger. Additionally, the military canceled their licenses without providing a reason. To further sour relations with France, the coup plotter expelled France's ambassador.
Mali is another West African nation on the list. Relations were strained by the junta's unwillingness to establish a schedule for civilian administration following two military takeovers in 2020 and 2021 as well as claims of French meddling. Following the expulsion of France's ambassador by Mali, which ended their collaboration, France withdrew its troops and the Takuba force.
Sixty years after independence, Chad terminated its defense cooperation agreement with France, and in another development, Gabon’s relationship with France deteriorated, following a coup that ousted President Ali Bongo in 2023.
Burkina Faso is another Francophone nation with an untold history of tense relations with France, which resulted in Thomas Sankara's murder. The country severed all ties with France under Captain Ibrahim Traoré, with a bold statement that the plundering of his country is over.
Although the grass appears green from above, some areas underneath are dehydrated and therefore, not fresh. Following the continent's independence, every European nation that had colonies in Africa is dealing with a variety of difficulties, but France's is more severe than most people realize.