The Reasons Behind France's PM Resigned After Just 27 Days – & Potential Follow
The French PM, Sébastien Lecornu, has resigned along with the cabinet, less than 30 days following his appointment and within hours of the new cabinet being announced, significantly worsening France's governmental turmoil.
This marks another surprising turn in a series of events indicating that the nation, Europe's second-largest economy, faces growing governance challenges. Here is a look at what just happened, why – and future possibilities.
What Just Happened?
Lecornu, after less than a month in office, submitted his departure along with the entire cabinet this week, only half a day after the key members of his cabinet had been announced. He became the briefest-serving PM since the Fifth Republic began.
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 since Macron dissolved parliament triggering snap polls conducted months ago.
Lecornu blamed political rigidity, stating he was “willing to negotiate, but every party wanted others accept their entire agenda.” It would “would require little to succeed,” however “ideological stubbornness” and “personal ambitions” blocked progress, according to him.
His departure alarmed markets, as the CAC 40 fell 2% and the euro, 0.7%. The national debt ratio ranks third in the EU behind Greece and Italy, almost twice the EU's 60% limit – similar to the nearly 6% deficit forecast.
Underlying Causes
Origins of the turmoil stem from last year's sudden polls, that resulted in a hung parliament divided between three nearly equal factions: left-wing groups, the far right and the president's centrist coalition, with no group coming close to a clear majority.
The economic downturn worsened the uncertainty, as have presidential elections due in 2027. The president is term-limited, as parties position themselves before the vote, common ground in parliament is increasingly elusive.
Lecornu faced a difficult task of passing an austerity budget through the divided assembly aimed at reining in the large fiscal gap – a challenge that ousted the previous two PMs, who were ousted by MPs over the plan.
The final catalyst for his resignation appears to have been response from conservative parties to the new cabinet. They claimed the similar composition did not reflect the “profound break” with past politics he had pledged.
Revealing key ministries last Sunday prompted fierce criticism from across the political spectrum, with allies and opponents denouncing it for being too conservative or insufficiently so, and endangering its stability.
Reappointing Bruno Le Maire, long-time finance chief, as defense head particularly enraged politicians across factions, viewing it as proof 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 has called on Macron to dissolve parliament and hold fresh elections, while the radical left France Unbowed renewed demands for Macron's resignation.
Macron has three main options, each risky and uninviting. Initially, he could name a new prime minister. A figure from within his own camp seems improbable, and a centrist left candidate could undermine his pension changes.
Alternatively, selecting a staunch conservative would infuriate the left bloc. Due to urgent requirements to achieve a minimum of consensus to at least pass a budget for this year, some analysts have suggested he might consider a non-party political technocrat.
Second, he may dissolve parliament and call fresh legislative elections, a move he has consistently said he is reluctant to do and surveys indicate would probably return another divided parliament – or potentially usher in an RN government.
His final option is stepping down, but again, he has refused to leave prior to the 2027 vote – a vote seen as a historic crossroads for France, with Le Pen sensing her best ever chance of taking power.
