According to The Associated Press, lawmakers passed the reform package on Monday despite protests from opposition parties and civil society groups. The Senegalese government said the proposed constitutional changes will ultimately be submitted to voters in a national referendum, although no date has been announced.

The legislation comes amid escalating political tensions between Bassirou Diomaye Faye and his former prime minister, Ousmane Sonko, who was removed from the premiership and elected president of the National Assembly last month.

Constitutional Changes Expand Parliament’s Role

The amendment, introduced by Sonko’s ruling Pastef party, would increase the powers of the legislature in several key areas.

Among the proposed changes, the government would be required to inform parliament about agreements involving the exploitation of Senegal’s natural resources. The legislation also broadens the investigative authority of parliamentary inquiry committees.

Another major provision would establish a new Constitutional Court to replace the existing Constitutional Council. The proposed court would consist of nine members instead of the current seven.

The reform would also prohibit the president from simultaneously serving as the leader of a political party, introduce new restrictions on executive decisions made between a presidential election and the official certification of results, and tighten rules governing the president’s authority to dissolve the National Assembly.

Opposition Denounces Reform

Opposition parties have criticized the constitutional overhaul, arguing that the initiative reflects political retaliation by Sonko, who continues to wield considerable influence over the parliamentary majority despite no longer serving as prime minister.

Critics contend that the reforms are motivated more by internal political rivalries than by institutional improvements.

Several opposition parties and civil society organizations called for demonstrations outside the National Assembly during Monday’s parliamentary debate.

Protesters gathered outside the legislature carrying signs reading “Hands off my Constitution!” while chanting slogans opposing the proposed amendments.

Police responded by firing tear gas to disperse demonstrators and detained several opposition leaders and activists during the protests.

Referendum to Decide Constitutional Changes

Although lawmakers have approved the constitutional amendment, the government said the reforms will not take effect immediately.

Instead, the proposed changes will be presented to Senegalese voters in a nationwide referendum, giving the public the final say on whether the constitutional revisions should become law.

Officials have not announced when the referendum will be held.

The vote is expected to become a significant test of public support for the government’s constitutional agenda as political divisions continue to shape Senegal’s evolving democratic landscape.

Tags: Senegal, Bassirou Diomaye Faye, Ousmane Sonko, National Assembly, Constitutional Reform, Pastef, Referendum, Politics, Constitutional Court, Parliament, Democracy, Africa

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Published: October 6, 2025, 21:45 EDT

France was plunged into renewed political turmoil after Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu resigned less than a month after taking office, leaving President Emmanuel Macron scrambling to form a new government amid growing opposition pressure and investor unease.

Macron Accepts Lecornu’s Resignation Amid Growing Political Strain

The Élysée Palace confirmed Monday that Macron accepted Lecornu’s resignation, just one day after the Prime Minister finalized his cabinet lineup. Lecornu had succeeded François Bayrou, becoming France’s fourth prime minister in a single year — a rapid turnover that underscores the instability gripping Macron’s administration.

The abrupt resignation stunned political observers and rattled financial markets, with France’s benchmark CAC-40 index falling nearly 2% on Monday compared to Friday’s close.

“This resignation signals a deep crisis in French governance,” said political analyst Philippe Morel on France Info. “It reflects the widening gap between the presidency and an increasingly fragmented parliament.”

Opposition Parties Call for Macron’s Resignation or Snap Elections

Macron’s political rivals moved quickly to capitalize on the government’s latest setback. The far-right National Rally (Rassemblement National) demanded that the president either dissolve parliament and call new elections or step down himself.

On the left, France Unbowed (La France Insoumise) echoed those calls, arguing that Macron had lost his legitimacy to govern.

“The President must face the reality that the French people no longer have confidence in this government,” a party spokesperson said in a televised statement.

The resignation adds to Macron’s mounting challenges as he navigates a divided National Assembly and a growing public perception of political gridlock.

Cabinet in Limbo as Newly Appointed Ministers Become Caretakers

Lecornu’s resignation came barely a day after he named his cabinet, leaving newly appointed ministers in an unusual position: effectively caretaker officials before their formal swearing-in ceremonies.

Agnès Pannier-Runacher, who was reappointed as Minister for Ecology, expressed frustration on X (formerly Twitter), writing: “I despair of this circus.”

Several ministers reportedly learned of Lecornu’s resignation through media reports, highlighting the disarray within the government.

Observers said the resignation could delay key legislative priorities, including France’s upcoming budget negotiations and planned reforms to labor and climate policies.

Criticism Over Cabinet Choices and Fiscal Record

Lecornu’s brief tenure had already faced criticism from across the political spectrum for his ministerial appointments. His decision to name former finance minister Bruno Le Maire as Minister of Defense drew widespread backlash, with critics pointing to Le Maire’s role in the country’s rising budget deficit.

“The same people responsible for economic mismanagement are being recycled into new positions,” said Socialist lawmaker Valérie Rabault. “It’s no wonder confidence has eroded.”

Despite these criticisms, key posts such as interior, foreign, and justice ministers remained largely unchanged. Conservative Bruno Retailleau stayed on as Interior Minister, Jean-Noël Barrot continued as Foreign Minister, and Gérald Darmanin retained the Justice Ministry — a sign that Lecornu sought continuity amid volatility.

Fragmented Parliament and Fading Majority

French politics have been marked by instability since Macron’s decision to call snap elections last year. The vote produced a fragmented legislature, with far-right and left-wing parties now holding more than 320 of the 577 seats in the National Assembly. Macron’s centrist alliance, together with conservative allies, controls around 210 seats — far short of an outright majority.

This fractured parliament has made governance increasingly difficult. Lecornu, upon taking office, promised to build consensus and pledged not to use the controversial Article 49.3 of the French Constitution, which allows the government to pass a budget without a parliamentary vote. Instead, he vowed to seek compromise with opposition lawmakers and trade unions.

His sudden resignation now leaves that promise unfulfilled and raises doubts about Macron’s ability to maintain political stability during the remainder of his term.

Markets React as France Faces Political Uncertainty

The prime minister’s departure sent shockwaves through financial markets. Paris’s CAC-40 index fell nearly 2% on Monday morning amid investor fears of prolonged political paralysis. Analysts warned that further instability could weaken confidence in France’s fiscal trajectory and reform agenda.

“The resignation injects fresh uncertainty into an already fragile political climate,” said Isabelle Fournier, chief economist at Crédit Industriel de France. “Investors are now questioning whether Macron can deliver the structural reforms France needs to sustain growth.”

Macron’s Search for a Successor

The Élysée has not yet announced Lecornu’s replacement, but sources close to the presidency told Le Monde that Macron is considering several candidates from both centrist and moderate conservative circles.

Analysts expect Macron to choose a figure with experience in coalition management and parliamentary negotiation — someone capable of stabilizing relations with opposition blocs while preserving the president’s reformist agenda.

However, with public trust in the government at its lowest level in years, Macron faces a daunting challenge to restore confidence both at home and abroad.

Source: AP News – French Prime Minister resigns after less than a month in office

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