The Reasons Behind the French PM Stepped Down Following Just 27 Days – and Potential Happen Next
France's prime minister, Sébastien Lecornu, stepped down along with his government, under 30 days following taking office and just moments of the new cabinet being announced, dramatically deepening France's political crisis.
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, the causes and future possibilities.
What Just Happened?
Lecornu, who was appointed 27 days ago, tendered his resignation along with the entire cabinet this week, only half a day following the ministerial lineup reveal. This made him the briefest-serving PM in modern French history.
Aged 39, former defence minister, aligned with the president, served as the fifth PM after Macron's second term and the third post-parliament dissolution and called early legislative elections conducted months ago.
He attributed the resignation to political rigidity, saying he had been “ready to compromise, but every party wanted every other party to adopt its full programme.” He noted it “would require little to succeed,” but “partisan attitudes” and “certain egos” blocked progress, according to him.
The resignation spooked investors, as the CAC 40 fell 2% and the euro declined 0.7%. The national debt ratio ranks third in the EU after Greece and Italy, almost twice the EU's 60% limit – as is the nearly 6% deficit forecast.
Why Did It Happen?
The roots of the crisis stem from that 2024 snap general election, which produced a split assembly divided between three more or less equal blocs: the left, the far right & the president's centrist coalition, with no group coming close to a clear majority.
The economic downturn has only added to that instability, as have presidential elections due in 2027. The president is term-limited, as parties position themselves ahead of elections, compromise in the assembly has become even harder to find.
He encountered the tough job to approve spending cuts through the divided assembly aimed at reining in 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 response from conservative parties regarding the ministerial team. The party said the similar composition did not reflect a significant shift with past politics that Lecornu had promised.
Revealing key ministries last Sunday drew strong objections from all sides, as supporters and critics condemned it as either too rightwing or not rightwing enough, and endangering its stability.
Reappointing Bruno Le Maire, Macron’s economy minister for seven years, as defense head particularly enraged politicians from most parties, viewing it as proof that Macron’s pro-business economic policies was non-negotiable.
Future Scenarios
The far-right National Rally led by Le Pen and Bardella has called on Macron to disband the assembly and call new votes, while the radical left France Unbowed has reiterated longstanding calls for Macron's resignation.
The president faces three choices, each risky and none very appealing. First, he could name a new prime minister. 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. 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 a non-party political technocrat.
Second, he could dissolve the national assembly and call fresh legislative elections, an option he has resisted and surveys indicate could yield another split result – or potentially usher in an RN government.
The last choice is stepping down, but again, he has refused to leave prior to the 2027 vote – a vote seen as a historic crossroads in French politics, as Le Pen eyes a potential victory.
