Why the French Prime Minister Stepped Down Following Only 27 Days – & Potential Follow
The French PM, the country's leader, stepped down together with his government, under a month following taking office and within hours after unveiling his ministers, dramatically deepening the country's political crisis.
It is the latest shock development following recent incidents that suggest the nation, Europe's second-largest economy, is becoming increasingly ungovernable. Let's examine recent developments, why – and what might come next.
Recent Events
Lecornu, after less than a month in office, tendered his resignation along with the entire cabinet this week, only half a day following the ministerial lineup reveal. He became the briefest-serving PM in modern French history.
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 post-parliament dissolution and called early legislative elections conducted months ago.
Lecornu blamed political rigidity, stating he was “willing to negotiate, but every party wanted every other party to adopt its full programme.” It would “not take much for it to work,” but “partisan attitudes” and “personal ambitions” stood in the way, according to him.
His departure spooked investors, with the CAC 40 stock index dropping 2% and the euro declined 0.7%. The national debt ratio ranks third in the EU behind Greece and Italy, nearly double the EU's 60% limit – similar to the nearly 6% deficit forecast.
Why Did It Happen?
The roots of the crisis lie in that 2024 snap general election, that resulted in a split assembly split among three more or less equal blocs: the left, the far right and the president's centrist coalition, none nearing a majority.
The economic downturn has only added to that instability, along with presidential elections due in 2027. The president is term-limited, as parties position themselves before the vote, common ground in parliament has become even harder to find.
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, removed by lawmakers for similar efforts.
The immediate trigger leading to his exit appears to have been response from conservative parties to the new cabinet. They claimed the similar composition did not reflect a significant shift with past politics that Lecornu had promised.
But announcement of the main cabinet posts on Sunday evening drew strong objections 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 across factions, who saw it as a confirmation that Macron’s pro-business economic policies was non-negotiable.
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 Macron's resignation.
Macron has three main options, all hazardous and none very appealing. First, he might appoint another PM. Someone from his circle seems improbable, and a centrist left candidate would challenge his hard-won pension reform.
On the other hand, selecting a staunch conservative would infuriate the left bloc. Given the pressing need to achieve a minimum of consensus for approving annual spending, some analysts have suggested he might consider a non-party political technocrat.
Next, he could dissolve the national assembly 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 bring nationalists to power.
The last choice is stepping down, but again, he has repeatedly ruled out standing aside 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.
