The Reasons Behind the French PM Resigned Following Only 27 Days – & What Could Follow
France's PM, Sébastien Lecornu, stepped down together with the cabinet, less than 30 days after taking office and just hours of the new cabinet being announced, dramatically deepening France's governmental turmoil.
This marks the latest shock development in a series of events indicating that the nation, Europe's second-largest economy, faces growing governance challenges. Let's examine what just happened, why – and future possibilities.
Recent Events
Lecornu, after less than a month in office, submitted his departure along with the entire cabinet on Monday, only half a day following the ministerial lineup reveal. He became the shortest-lived prime minister in modern French history.
The 39-year-old, former defence minister, aligned with the president, was France’s fifth prime minister after Macron's second term and third leader post-parliament dissolution triggering snap polls that were held last summer.
Lecornu blamed political rigidity, stating he was “ready to compromise, but every party wanted others accept their entire agenda.” He noted it “would require little to succeed,” however “partisan attitudes” and “certain egos” blocked progress, according to him.
His departure spooked investors, as the CAC 40 fell 2% and the euro, 0.7%. France’s debt-to-GDP ratio ranks third in the EU after Greece and Italy, nearly double the EU's 60% limit – as is the nearly 6% deficit forecast.
Why Did It Happen?
The roots of the crisis lie in that 2024 snap general election, which produced a split assembly divided between three more or less equal blocs: the left, nationalist right and Macron’s own centre-right alliance, none nearing a majority.
The economic downturn has only added to that instability, as have the 2027 presidential race. Macron cannot stand again, and with each party keen to stake out its ground ahead of elections, common ground in parliament is increasingly elusive.
Lecornu faced a difficult task to approve spending cuts in a fractured parliament targeting reduction of the large fiscal gap – a challenge that ousted the previous two PMs, removed by lawmakers for similar efforts.
The final catalyst for his resignation seems to be response from conservative parties to the new cabinet. They claimed the similar composition failed to represent the “profound break” with past politics he had pledged.
Revealing key ministries last Sunday prompted fierce criticism from all sides, with allies and opponents denouncing it as either too rightwing or not rightwing enough, and endangering its stability.
The return of Bruno Le Maire, long-time finance chief, as defense head angered many lawmakers from most parties, who saw it as a confirmation that Macron’s pro-business economic policies were not up for discussion.
What Might Happen Now?
Nationalist parties of Marine Le Pen and Jordan Bardella has called on Macron to dissolve parliament and hold fresh elections, as leftist groups renewed demands for Macron's resignation.
The president faces three choices, all hazardous and none very appealing. First, he could name a new prime minister. A figure from within his own camp now appears unlikely, while even a moderate leftwinger could undermine his pension changes.
Alternatively, selecting a staunch conservative would infuriate the left bloc. Due to urgent requirements to secure some agreement for approving annual spending, experts propose he may try to turn to a non-party political technocrat.
Second, he may dissolve parliament and initiate new elections, an option he has resisted and which polls suggest could yield another split result – or potentially usher in an RN government.
The last choice is stepping down, but again, he has repeatedly ruled out standing aside before the presidential election in 2027 – an election viewed as pivotal in French politics, with Le Pen sensing her best ever chance of taking power.
