Group 1 - The core viewpoint of the article highlights the political instability in France following the resignation of former Prime Minister Borne and the rapid appointment of Defense Minister Lecornu as the new Prime Minister, marking the seventh Prime Minister under Macron and the fifth since his second term began [1][2][3] - Lecornu's appointment is seen as a strategic move by Macron to ensure loyalty and effective execution of foreign policy, especially in the context of ongoing geopolitical tensions such as the Russia-Ukraine conflict [4][3] - The political turmoil is exacerbated by low public support for Macron, with only about 15% of respondents expressing confidence in his leadership, leading to widespread protests and calls for his resignation [7][8] Group 2 - The recent trust vote in the National Assembly, which failed to pass, reflects the ongoing fiscal crisis in France, with the previous Prime Minister Beru becoming the sixth to resign under Macron's presidency [5][6] - The proposed budget cuts of €43.8 billion, including reductions in public holidays and healthcare spending, faced significant opposition, indicating a lack of support for the government's fiscal policies [6][5] - The political instability in France is likely to weaken its position within the EU and affect its ability to lead in European strategic autonomy, potentially leading to increased fragmentation within European politics [9][10]

Core Insights - The elections in Romania, Poland, and Portugal on the 18th reflect a trend of fragmentation, polarization, and the rise of far-right forces in European politics [1] - Independent candidate Nicușor Dan achieved a surprising victory in the Romanian presidential election, while Poland's presidential election will require a second round of voting, and the Democratic Union in Portugal secured the most seats but did not achieve an absolute majority [1] - Professor Cui Hongjian from Beijing Foreign Studies University noted that these elections demonstrate a common trend in European politics, where the far-right poses an increasing threat to mainstream politics [1] - The connection between domestic and foreign policy issues in these elections may impact the future integration process of Europe [1]