France was plunged into fresh political uncertainty on Monday as Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu resigned, less than 24 hours after his cabinet was unveiled.
In a brief statement outside the Hôtel de Matignon, Lecornu said the conditions required for him to continue as prime minister were not met, sharply criticising the unwillingness of political factions to reach compromises.
“The only way forward is for parties to show humility and cast some egos aside,” Lecornu told reporters, adding that all factions were acting as though they held an absolute majority.
President Emmanuel Macron met with Lecornu for an hour at the Élysée Palace on Monday morning, after which the resignation was formally announced.
Lecornu’s abrupt departure comes just 26 days after his appointment, following the collapse of the previous government under François Bayrou. The move marks a dramatic escalation in France’s ongoing political instability.
The composition of Lecornu’s cabinet, largely unchanged from Bayrou’s, drew fierce criticism from parties across the National Assembly. Many had threatened to vote down the government, prompting Lecornu’s resignation.
Far-right leader Marine Le Pen of the National Rally called for early elections, stating, “The joke’s gone on long enough. French people are fed up. Macron has put the country in an extremely difficult position.”
The resignation leaves Macron with three main options: appoint another prime minister, dissolve the National Assembly, or step down himself. While the last option remains unlikely, the choice of a successor poses significant challenges.
Lecornu, a former armed forces minister and staunch Macron loyalist, had been seen as a last-resort candidate. His failure highlights the difficulty of forming a stable government amid a fragmented parliament.
Some analysts suggest that appointing a Socialist prime minister could offer a temporary solution, though a left-wing government would also likely struggle to survive in the divided legislature.
The most probable recourse may be early legislative elections. Such a scenario could potentially deliver a major setback to Macron’s centrist coalition while providing gains for hard-right parties led by Le Pen.
French politics has been particularly volatile since July 2024, when Macron called snap parliamentary elections after his party suffered a heavy loss in the European Parliament vote.
The elections resulted in a hung parliament, with ideologically opposed factions unable or unwilling to work together, creating a climate in which prime ministers find it difficult to secure parliamentary support.
Michel Barnier’s premiership lasted only three months after his appointment last September. His successor, François Bayrou, saw his government voted down after nine months due to opposition to his austerity budget, which aimed to cut government spending by €44bn ($51bn; £38bn).
France’s economic indicators are under pressure, with a deficit reaching 5.8% of GDP in 2024 and national debt climbing to 114% of GDP—the third highest in the eurozone after Greece and Italy. The debt is roughly equivalent to €50,000 per citizen.
The political instability has also affected financial markets, with stocks on the Paris exchange falling sharply following the announcement of Lecornu’s resignation.
Analysts warn that without swift resolution, the political deadlock could further impact France’s economic performance, investor confidence, and public trust in institutions.
Lecornu’s resignation underscores the deep divisions in the French National Assembly and the challenges Macron faces in maintaining governance without a clear majority.
“This situation shows the perils of a fragmented parliament. The president’s ability to push reforms is now severely constrained,” said political analyst Claire Dubois, highlighting the broader implications for Macron’s administration.
Macron has consistently stated he will not resign before his term ends in 2027. However, with repeated government collapses, he now faces mounting pressure to consider elections as the only viable solution.
The political unrest has sparked concerns across Europe, as France plays a key role in EU policy and economic stability. EU officials have called for dialogue and compromise to avoid further uncertainty.
Lecornu, France’s fifth prime minister in under two years, cited “partisan appetites” and ego-driven politics as major obstacles to governance. He emphasized that only collaboration and compromise could stabilize the political situation.
Observers say Macron’s next steps will be closely watched both domestically and internationally, with potential repercussions for France’s legislative agenda, social programs, and economic reforms.
For now, France faces a period of uncertainty, with political factions at an impasse and citizens awaiting clarity on how their government intends to navigate the crisis.
Stocks, public confidence, and political stability all hang in the balance as the country confronts one of its most turbulent periods in recent decades.
Macron’s decision in the coming days will be crucial in determining whether France moves toward new elections, forms another government, or faces an unprecedented leadership dilemma.
The resignation of Lecornu marks another chapter in what has become a series of rapid governmental turnovers, raising questions about the effectiveness of France’s parliamentary system in a time of political fragmentation.
The nation now watches and waits, as leaders must decide whether compromise is possible or whether the only solution lies in a fresh mandate from the electorate.
This article was created using automation technology and was thoroughly edited and fact-checked by one of our editorial staff members
