Historic Resignation After Less Than a Month in Office
Paris — France has entered a new phase of political instability as Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu announced his resignation just 27 days after taking office making his tenure the shortest in modern French history.
Lecornu 's shock decision came only hours after unveiling his new cabinet, triggering yet another government crisis for President Emmanuel Macron, who is already grappling with a fractured parliament and deep public discontent.
In his brief public address, Lecornu said the “conditions were not fulfilled” for him to govern effectively, citing what he described as “partisan appetites” and a refusal by France’s major political factions to cooperate.
“I cannot lead a government when each party behaves as if it holds an absolute majority,” Lecornu declared, in a statement that highlighted the paralysis gripping French politics.
Cabinet Announcement Sparks Political Backlash
The newly announced cabinet lineup, unveiled late Sunday, immediately drew fierce criticism from across the political spectrum.
- The Republicans (Les Républicains) on the right expressed anger that Lecornu 's team looked nearly identical to Macron’s previous government the same one they helped bring down. Party leaders threatened to withdraw parliamentary support within days.
- The far-right National Rally (Rassemblement National), led by Marine Le Pen, and the far-left France Unbowed (La France Insoumise), led by Jean-Luc Mélenchon, both mocked Lecornu 's appointments and renewed calls for a no-confidence vote before the new cabinet could even convene.
- The decision to appoint Bruno Le Maire, a long-time Macron ally and former finance minister, as Defense Minister was seen as a symbol of continuity directly contradicting Lecornu 's earlier promise of a “profound break” with the past.
A Fourth Government Collapse in Just One Year
Lecornu’s resignation marks the fourth collapse of a French government within a single year, exposing deep cracks in Macron’s ability to govern without a clear parliamentary majority.
Since Macron’s decision to call snap elections last year, France has been mired in political gridlock, with no coalition able to form a stable governing majority. The president’s centrist alliance remains stuck between a powerful far-right opposition and an emboldened left-wing bloc.
Political analysts say Lecornu 's departure leaves Macron facing an unprecedented constitutional challenge forced once again to appoint a new prime minister while struggling to pass urgent fiscal reforms.
Market Reaction: Stocks Fall, Bond Yields Rise
The political shockwaves extended beyond Paris.
France’s CAC 40 stock index dropped sharply following Lecornu’s resignation, while government bond yields spiked amid growing investor concern over political and fiscal uncertainty.
Markets had expected Lecornu to deliver a tough austerity budget aimed at reducing France’s mounting public debt , a key issue for both European regulators and credit rating agencies.
With his resignation, that plan is now in limbo.
Calls for New Elections and Pressure on Macron
Opposition leaders wasted no time demanding a reset.
Marine Le Pen called the government’s collapse “proof that the Macron era is over,” urging the president to dissolve parliament and hold new legislative elections.
Jean-Luc Mélenchon echoed that call, saying France needs a “democratic reboot” to break the political deadlock.
Inside the Élysée Palace, sources say Macron is considering several replacement options, though none appear capable of commanding a clear majority in parliament.
The president’s challenge now is to appoint his eighth prime minister while maintaining confidence at home and credibility abroad.
France at a Political Crossroads
Sébastien Lecornu’s abrupt resignation adds another chapter to France’s ongoing political turmoil.
With economic uncertainty rising, budget deadlines approaching, and social unrest simmering, Macron’s government faces an uphill battle to restore stability.
Unless the president can broker a new parliamentary deal or win new elections, France risks entering a period of prolonged political paralysis not seen in decades.
“This resignation is not just about one man,” wrote political columnist Anne Dupont in Le Monde. “It is about a system unable to adapt to the fragmented France of 2025.”
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