The Reasons Behind the French PM Resigned After Only 27 Days – & What Could Happen Next
The French prime minister, Sébastien Lecornu, has resigned together with his government, under 30 days after his appointment and within moments of the new cabinet being announced, significantly worsening France's governmental turmoil.
This marks another surprising turn in a series of events that suggest the nation, Europe's second-largest economy, is becoming increasingly ungovernable. Here is a look at recent developments, the causes and what might come next.
What Just Happened?
Lecornu, who was appointed 27 days ago, tendered his resignation along with the entire cabinet this week, only half a day after the key members of his cabinet had been announced. This made him the shortest-lived prime minister since the Fifth Republic began.
Aged 39, former defence minister, aligned with the president, served as the fifth PM since the president’s re-election in 2022 and the third since Macron dissolved parliament triggering snap polls conducted months ago.
He attributed the resignation to political rigidity, saying he had been “ready to compromise, yet all factions demanded every other party to adopt its full programme.” It would “not take much for it to work,” but “ideological stubbornness” along with “personal ambitions” stood in the way, he said.
His departure alarmed markets, as the CAC 40 fell 2% and the euro, 0.7%. The national debt ratio is the EU’s third-highest after Greece and Italy, nearly double the 60% permitted under EU rules – similar to the nearly 6% deficit forecast.
Underlying Causes
Origins of the turmoil stem from last year's sudden polls, which produced a split assembly divided between three nearly equal factions: left-wing groups, nationalist right & Macron’s own centre-right alliance, none nearing a majority.
The economic downturn worsened the uncertainty, as have the 2027 presidential race. Macron cannot stand again, as parties position themselves before the vote, compromise in the assembly has become even harder to find.
Lecornu faced the tough job of passing an austerity budget in a fractured parliament targeting reduction of the large fiscal gap – a task that defeated his two immediate predecessors, who were ousted by MPs over the plan.
The final catalyst for his resignation seems to be the reaction of the centre-right Les Républicains to the new cabinet. They claimed the largely unchanged lineup did not reflect a significant shift with past politics he had pledged.
But announcement of the main cabinet posts on Sunday evening drew strong objections from across the political spectrum, with allies and opponents denouncing it as either too rightwing or not rightwing enough, and threatening to topple the new government.
Reappointing 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.
Future Scenarios
The far-right National Rally led by Le Pen and Bardella urged the president to disband the assembly and hold fresh elections, while the radical left France Unbowed has reiterated longstanding calls for the president himself to step down.
Macron has three main options, all hazardous and uninviting. Initially, he could name a new prime minister. A figure from within his own camp now appears unlikely, and a centrist left candidate would challenge his hard-won pension reform.
Alternatively, appointing a confirmed rightwinger would anger left-wing parties. Given the pressing need to achieve a minimum of consensus to at least pass a budget for this year, some analysts have suggested he may try to turn to an independent expert.
Second, he could dissolve the national assembly and initiate new elections, an option he has resisted and surveys indicate could yield another split result – or bring nationalists to power.
The last choice is stepping down, but again, he has refused to leave before the presidential election in 2027 – a vote seen as a historic crossroads for France, as Le Pen eyes a potential victory.
