Why the French PM Stepped Down Following Just 27 Days – and What Could Follow
The French PM, Sébastien Lecornu, has resigned together with the cabinet, under a month after his appointment and just moments after unveiling his ministers, dramatically deepening the country's governmental turmoil.
It is another surprising turn following recent incidents indicating that the nation, Europe's second-largest economy, is becoming increasingly ungovernable. Let's examine what just happened, why – and future possibilities.
What Just Happened?
The prime minister, who was appointed 27 days ago, tendered his resignation and that of his government this week, barely 12 hours after the key members of his cabinet had been announced. He became the shortest-lived prime minister since the Fifth Republic began.
Aged 39, ex-defense chief, a close ally of Emmanuel Macron, served as the fifth PM since the president’s re-election in 2022 and the third since Macron dissolved parliament and called early legislative elections that were held last summer.
Lecornu blamed political rigidity, saying he had been “ready to compromise, yet all factions demanded every other party to adopt its full programme.” It would “would require little to succeed,” however “partisan attitudes” along with “personal ambitions” blocked progress, according to him.
The resignation alarmed markets, with the CAC 40 stock index dropping 2% and the euro declined 0.7%. The national debt ratio ranks third in the EU behind Greece and Italy, nearly double the EU's 60% limit – similar to the nearly 6% deficit forecast.
Underlying Causes
The roots of the crisis lie in last year's sudden polls, which produced a split assembly split among three more or less equal blocs: left-wing groups, the far right and Macron’s own centre-right alliance, none nearing a majority.
The economic downturn worsened the uncertainty, along with the 2027 presidential race. Macron cannot stand again, as parties position themselves ahead of elections, compromise in the assembly is increasingly elusive.
Lecornu faced a difficult task to approve spending cuts through the divided assembly aimed at reining in the large fiscal gap – a task that defeated the previous two PMs, who were ousted by MPs over the plan.
The final catalyst for his resignation appears to have been the reaction of the centre-right Les Républicains regarding the ministerial team. They claimed the similar composition did not reflect the “profound break” from previous approaches he had pledged.
Revealing key ministries last Sunday prompted fierce criticism from across the political spectrum, with allies and opponents denouncing it as either too rightwing or not rightwing enough, and endangering its stability.
Reappointing Bruno Le Maire, long-time finance chief, to government as defence minister particularly enraged politicians from most parties, viewing it as proof that Macron’s pro-business economic policies were not up for discussion.
Future Scenarios
Nationalist parties led by Le Pen and Bardella has called on Macron to dissolve parliament and call new votes, while the radical left France Unbowed renewed demands for Macron's resignation.
Macron has three main options, all hazardous and none very appealing. First, he might appoint another PM. A figure from within his own camp seems improbable, while even a moderate leftwinger would challenge his hard-won pension reform.
On the other hand, appointing a confirmed rightwinger would infuriate the left bloc. Due to urgent requirements to achieve a minimum of consensus for approving annual spending, experts propose he may try to turn to a non-party political technocrat.
Second, he could dissolve the national assembly and initiate new elections, an option he has resisted and which polls suggest could yield another split result – or bring nationalists to power.
The last choice is stepping down, however, he has repeatedly ruled out standing aside prior to the 2027 vote – a vote seen as a historic crossroads for France, as Le Pen eyes a potential victory.
