Thrown off balance by the resignation of Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu on Monday, October 6, the left spent the next 24 hours trying to regain control of an increasingly chaotic political situation. Whether seeking to form a government, force President Emmanuel Macron's departure, or revive left-wing unity, each faction pursued its own strategy.

By Monday evening, as the short-lived prime minister was given a 48-hour mission to seek a possible compromise among political forces, the Socialists continued to demand that a left-wing figure be appointed as prime minister. "I am asking for respect for the French people and their vote," said Socialist leader Olivier Faure to broadcaster TF1. "I, like the others, have always said that we should take responsibility and give a positive answer," to the president, if necessary, he added.

But how could the left, which does not have a sufficiently solid majority to implement its agenda, succeed when three prime ministers have just failed? Faure pledged that the left would "make compromises." He was careful not to promise a repeal of the contested 2023 pension reform, for example, but instead promised to reopen the discussion. "The outcome will be decided by the Assemblée Nationale," he said cautiously.

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