Lecornu Presses Dati to Quit as He Sets Pre‑Election Cabinet Adjustment by Feb. 22

Overview

• Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu asked Culture Minister Rachida Dati to submit her resignation before the end of next week, with press reports describing a tense exchange over the timing of her departure.
• The prime minister confirmed a narrow government “adjustment” before the electoral reserve period begins on Feb. 22, with expected exits for municipal candidates Marina Ferrari, Michel Fournier and Charlotte Parmentier‑Lecocq.
• Lecornu said he will sign the overdue energy programming decree by week’s end, confirming six new nuclear reactors with an option for eight more and a target of 60% of consumption from electricity by 2030, as renewables groups voiced cautious relief and Marine Le Pen condemned the move.
• The government adopted two measures on the state medical aid scheme for undocumented migrants, tightening anti‑fraud controls with projected €180 million in savings and modernizing IT systems to speed case handling.
• Lecornu outlined updates to the military programming law to reflect a €6.5 billion defense increase in 2026 and reiterated that he is not a candidate for the 2027 presidential election.