Why France's PM Stepped Down Following Just 27 Days – and Potential Follow
France's prime minister, the country's leader, has resigned together with his government, under a month after his appointment and within hours of the new cabinet being announced, dramatically deepening France's political crisis.
This marks another surprising turn in a series of events indicating that France, Europe's second-largest economy, faces growing governance challenges. Here is a look at recent developments, the causes and future possibilities.
Recent Events
The prime minister, who was appointed 27 days ago, submitted his departure along with the entire cabinet on Monday, only half a day after the key members of his cabinet had been announced. This made him the briefest-serving PM in modern French history.
The 39-year-old, ex-defense chief, aligned with the president, was France’s fifth prime minister since the president’s re-election in 2022 and third leader since Macron dissolved parliament and called early legislative elections conducted months ago.
Lecornu blamed party-political intransigence, saying he had been “ready to compromise, but every party wanted others accept their entire agenda.” He noted it “not take much for it to work,” however “partisan attitudes” along with “personal ambitions” blocked progress, he said.
The resignation alarmed markets, as the CAC 40 fell 2% and the euro, 0.7%. The national debt ratio is the EU’s third-highest after Greece and Italy, nearly double the 60% permitted under EU rules – as is the nearly 6% deficit forecast.
Underlying Causes
The roots of the crisis lie in last year's sudden polls, that resulted in a split assembly divided between three nearly equal factions: the left, nationalist right & the president's centrist coalition, none nearing a majority.
France’s financial crisis worsened the uncertainty, along with the 2027 presidential race. Macron cannot stand again, as parties position themselves before the vote, common ground in parliament is increasingly elusive.
Lecornu faced a difficult task of passing an austerity budget in a fractured parliament aimed at reining in the yawning budget deficit – a task that defeated the previous two PMs, who were ousted by MPs over the plan.
The immediate trigger for his resignation appears to have been response from conservative parties to the new cabinet. The party said the similar composition did not reflect the “profound break” with past politics he had pledged.
But announcement of the main cabinet posts last Sunday drew strong objections from across the political spectrum, with allies and opponents denouncing it as either too rightwing or not rightwing enough, and threatening to topple the new government.
Reappointing Bruno Le Maire, long-time finance chief, as defense head particularly enraged politicians across factions, 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 has called on Macron to dissolve parliament and call new votes, as leftist groups has reiterated longstanding calls for the president himself to step down.
Macron has three main options, each risky and uninviting. Initially, he could name a new prime minister. Someone from his circle now appears unlikely, and a centrist left candidate could undermine his pension changes.
Alternatively, selecting a staunch conservative would infuriate the left bloc. Given the pressing need to achieve a minimum of consensus to at least pass a budget for this year, experts propose he might consider a non-party political technocrat.
Second, he could dissolve the national assembly and call fresh legislative elections, a move he has consistently said he is reluctant to do and which polls suggest could yield another split result – or potentially usher in an RN government.
His final option is stepping down, however, he has repeatedly ruled out standing aside prior to the 2027 vote – an election viewed as pivotal in French politics, as Le Pen eyes a potential victory.
