Why France's PM Resigned Following Just 27 Days – and Potential Follow
The French PM, the country's leader, has resigned along with his government, under a month following his appointment and within moments after unveiling his ministers, significantly worsening the country's political crisis.
It is another surprising turn following recent incidents that suggest France, Europe's second-largest economy, is becoming increasingly ungovernable. Here is a look at what just happened, why – 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 after the key members of his cabinet had been announced. This made him the briefest-serving PM since the Fifth Republic began.
Aged 39, ex-defense chief, aligned with the president, served as the fifth PM 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, saying he had been “willing to negotiate, yet all factions demanded every other party to adopt its full programme.” He noted it “would require little to succeed,” however “ideological stubbornness” and “certain egos” stood in the way, he said.
The resignation alarmed markets, with the CAC 40 stock index dropping 2% and the euro declined 0.7%. France’s debt-to-GDP ratio is the EU’s third-highest after Greece and Italy, nearly double the EU's 60% limit – as is the nearly 6% deficit forecast.
Why Did It Happen?
Origins of the turmoil stem from that 2024 snap general election, which produced a hung parliament split among three nearly equal factions: the left, the far right and Macron’s own centre-right alliance, none nearing a majority.
The economic downturn worsened the uncertainty, along with presidential elections due in 2027. Macron cannot stand again, as parties position themselves before the vote, common ground in parliament is increasingly elusive.
Lecornu faced the tough job of passing an austerity budget through the divided assembly aimed at reining in the large fiscal gap – a challenge that ousted his two immediate predecessors, 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 a significant shift from previous approaches he had pledged.
But announcement of the main cabinet posts last Sunday prompted fierce criticism from all sides, with allies and opponents denouncing it as either too rightwing or not rightwing enough, and endangering its stability.
Reappointing Bruno Le Maire, Macron’s economy minister for seven years, to government as defence minister angered many lawmakers from most parties, who saw it as a confirmation that his economic agenda were not up for discussion.
What Might Happen Now?
The far-right National Rally of Marine Le Pen and Jordan Bardella urged the president to dissolve parliament 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 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.
Alternatively, selecting a staunch conservative would infuriate the left bloc. Due to urgent requirements to secure some agreement to at least pass a budget for this year, experts propose he might consider an independent expert.
Next, 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.
His final option is stepping down, however, he has refused to leave prior to the 2027 vote – an election viewed as pivotal in French politics, as Le Pen eyes a potential victory.
