What We’re Watching: France’s prime minister resigns, Maduro makes a military display, government shutdown persists
Another prime minister bites the dust in France
France’s Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu resigned just 26 days after taking office — and a day after announcing his cabinet. He blamed France’s fractured parliament for “behaving as if they had an absolute majority” and refusing to compromise. The decision now falls to President Emmanuel Macron, who can appoint a fifth prime minister, call new parliamentary elections, or resign — something he’s vowed not to do before 2027. But both remaining options are risky: a new prime minister could face another quick collapse, while fresh elections could further boost Marine Le Pen’s far-right party.
Maduro’s militia push falls flat
Tanks rolled through Caracas for a military parade as Venezuela’s government tried to project strength after the US attacked another boat off its coast on Friday, but turnout was sparse. President Nicolás Maduro has urged citizens to join militias to defend against what he calls a looming US invasion, yet many recruits say they were pressured to enlist and won’t fight if it comes to it. The US has deployed its largest Caribbean naval force in decades, officially to combat drug trafficking, though the scale suggests that the Trump administration may really be interested in regime change. With low enthusiasm at home and external pressure increasing, Maduro faces fresh questions about the loyalty of his forces and the stability of his rule.