The French political crisis has entered a new phase after Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu resigned less than 24 hours after naming his cabinet. The shock resignation came only weeks after his appointment, plunging President Emmanuel Macron’s government into deeper instability.
The Elysée Palace confirmed on Monday that Macron accepted Lecornu’s resignation. The president now faces one of the toughest moments of his second term, as France grapples with political paralysis, record-low approval ratings, and a looming debt crisis.
Lecornu, who replaced François Bayrou in September, was France’s fourth prime minister in a single year. His exit underscores the growing turmoil that has gripped French politics since Macron’s decision to call snap elections last year — a gamble that backfired.
A fragmented parliament fuels instability
The snap elections produced a deeply divided National Assembly. Far-right and far-left lawmakers together control more than 320 seats, while Macron’s centrist bloc and its conservative allies hold only about 210. No party has an outright majority, leaving the government unable to pass key legislation.
Lecornu, a loyal Macron ally, said he could not continue under these conditions.
“It would take little for it to work,” Lecornu said in his resignation speech. “By being more selfless for many, by showing humility. One must always put one’s country before one’s party.”
His statement reflected growing frustration within Macron’s centrist alliance, which has struggled to build consensus amid fierce opposition from both ends of the political spectrum.
Opposition demands Macron’s resignation
The French political crisis immediately intensified as opposition leaders called for Macron to dissolve parliament or step down himself.
Far-right leader Marine Le Pen declared that “the country has reached the end of the road.”
“This raises a question for the President of the Republic: can he continue to resist the legislature’s dissolution?” she said. “There is no other solution but to return to the polls.”
On the far left, the France Unbowed party joined the chorus demanding Macron’s resignation. Left-wing leaders also called for reviving a coalition of socialists, greens, and communists to challenge the government.
The mounting political tension rattled investors. The CAC-40 index — France’s benchmark stock index — fell nearly 2% on Monday, reflecting market unease over the government’s instability.
A short-lived government collapses
The speed of Lecornu’s fall was unprecedented. His cabinet, announced on Sunday night, had not even completed its swearing-in ceremonies before the resignation was submitted.
Ministers who had been appointed only hours earlier suddenly found themselves acting as caretakers, tasked with managing daily affairs until a new government is formed.
Agnès Pannier-Runacher, reappointed as minister for ecology, voiced her frustration on social media. “I despair of this circus,” she posted on X.
Lecornu’s choice of ministers had already sparked controversy. Critics slammed his decision to bring back Bruno Le Maire, a former finance minister, to head the defense ministry — a move that drew anger across the political spectrum. Opponents said Le Maire’s tenure as finance minister coincided with France’s ballooning public deficit.
Debt crisis adds pressure on Macron
Lecornu’s main challenge had been to pass a new national budget amid France’s worsening debt crisis. At the end of the first quarter of 2025, the country’s public debt reached €3.346 trillion ($3.9 trillion) — about 114% of GDP. Servicing that debt now accounts for 7% of total state spending, making it one of France’s biggest financial burdens.
While Macron’s economic advisers insist that France’s fundamentals remain strong, economists warn that prolonged political paralysis could hurt investor confidence and delay much-needed fiscal reforms.
“Political uncertainty makes it harder for France to meet its European budget commitments,” said Paris-based economist Jean-Marc Daniel. “Without a stable government, debt reduction targets are nearly impossible.”
Attempts to build consensus failed
Before naming his short-lived cabinet, Lecornu had tried to reach across party lines. He met with trade unions, opposition leaders, and civil society representatives, hoping to form a broader coalition. He also promised not to use Article 49.3 — a controversial constitutional power that allows a government to pass laws without a parliamentary vote — a tool frequently used by his predecessors.
Instead, he pledged to govern through dialogue and compromise. But that approach quickly collapsed as opposition parties refused to cooperate, accusing the government of recycling old faces and failed policies.
“Lecornu’s government was a fragile attempt at balance,” said political analyst Claire Demesmay. “By including figures like Le Maire, he alienated both conservatives and progressives. It was doomed from the start.”
Macron’s dwindling options
The French political crisis leaves President Macron with few good choices. Analysts say he can attempt to appoint another technocratic prime minister, call new parliamentary elections, or resign — though the latter option appears unlikely.
Macron’s approval ratings have fallen to historic lows, with fewer than 20% of voters expressing confidence in his leadership. His opponents accuse him of becoming disconnected from the public amid growing anger over cost-of-living pressures and cuts to public services.
Meanwhile, far-right leader Marine Le Pen continues to gain ground ahead of the 2027 presidential election, positioning herself as the main challenger to Macron’s legacy.
“Every crisis strengthens Le Pen’s argument that Macron’s centrist project has failed,” said Demesmay. “The resignation of yet another prime minister only confirms that perception.”
A nation at a crossroads
As France waits for Macron’s next move, uncertainty dominates political and economic life. The president must now either appoint a fifth prime minister in a year or risk early elections that could hand power to the far right.
Within government ranks, frustration is evident. Many officials have described the situation as chaotic and unsustainable. “The Republic cannot function like this,” said one unnamed cabinet member in Le Monde.
For now, Lecornu’s brief tenure will likely be remembered as one of the shortest in French history — and a symbol of the broader French political crisis gripping the nation.
Whether Macron can restore stability remains to be seen. But one thing is clear: the resignation has deepened doubts about his ability to govern and raised fresh questions about France’s direction in the final years of his presidency.
Leave a Reply