Why France's PM Stepped Down Following Only 27 Days – & Potential Happen Next
France's prime minister, Sébastien Lecornu, stepped down along with his government, less than a month after his appointment and within moments of the new cabinet being announced, dramatically deepening the country's political crisis.
This marks another surprising turn following recent incidents indicating that France, 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, after less than a month in office, submitted his departure and that of his government on Monday, barely 12 hours following the ministerial lineup reveal. This made him the shortest-lived prime minister in modern French history.
The 39-year-old, ex-defense chief, a close ally of Emmanuel Macron, was France’s fifth prime minister since the president’s re-election in 2022 and third leader since Macron dissolved parliament triggering snap polls that were held last summer.
Lecornu blamed political rigidity, stating he was “ready to compromise, but every party wanted every other party to adopt its full programme.” It would “would require little to succeed,” but “partisan attitudes” along with “certain egos” stood in the way, 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 behind Greece and Italy, almost twice the 60% permitted under EU rules – as is its projected budget deficit of nearly 6%.
Why Did It Happen?
Origins of the turmoil stem from that 2024 snap general election, which produced a hung parliament divided between three more or less equal blocs: left-wing groups, the far right and Macron’s own centre-right alliance, with no group coming close to a clear majority.
The economic downturn worsened the uncertainty, 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 of passing an austerity budget through the divided assembly targeting reduction of the large fiscal gap – a task that defeated the previous two PMs, removed by lawmakers for similar efforts.
The immediate trigger for his resignation appears to have been the reaction of the centre-right Les Républicains to the new cabinet. The party said the largely unchanged lineup did not reflect the “profound break” from previous approaches that Lecornu had promised.
But announcement of the main cabinet posts 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.
The return of Bruno Le Maire, long-time finance chief, to government as defence minister angered many lawmakers from most parties, viewing it as proof that his economic agenda were not up for discussion.
What Might Happen Now?
Nationalist parties led by Le Pen and Bardella urged the president to dissolve parliament and call new votes, as leftist groups has reiterated longstanding calls for Macron's resignation.
The president faces three choices, all hazardous and uninviting. First, he might appoint another PM. Someone from his circle seems improbable, and a centrist left candidate could undermine his pension changes.
On the other hand, 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, experts propose he might consider an independent expert.
Second, he may dissolve parliament and call fresh legislative 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 in French politics, with Le Pen sensing her best ever chance of taking power.
