On Monday, significant political events unfolded in France. Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu resigned along with his government, just hours after the cabinet was announced and less than a month after his appointment. His resignation marks him as the shortest-serving prime minister in modern French history.
Lecornu, who was previously the defense minister and a close ally of President Emmanuel Macron, cited party-political inflexibility as a major factor in his departure. He expressed that attempts at compromise were futile as each party insisted on their full agenda. His resignation caused a notable drop in the CAC 40 stock index by 2% and a 0.7% decrease in the euro.
Following Lecornu’s resignation, President Macron requested that he remain in office for two additional days to explore potential solutions to the country’s growing political crisis. The current political landscape in France is marked by a hung parliament, which comprises three roughly equal blocs: the left, the far-right, and Macron’s center-right alliance. This division complicates governance.
The ongoing financial crisis, alongside upcoming presidential elections in 2027, has exacerbated the situation. Macron’s inability to seek re-election fuels a competitive atmosphere among parties aiming to establish their positions before the vote. Lecornu faced the challenging task of passing an austerity budget aimed at reducing the national deficit, a goal that had previously led to the ousting of two of his predecessors.
The immediate cause of Lecornu’s resignation appears linked to the political reaction to his newly appointed cabinet, which some parties criticized as failing to signify a “profound break” from previous politics. Bruno Le Maire, recently returned as defense minister, also announced he would withdraw from the government amidst ongoing criticism.
If attempts to establish a consensus fail, President Macron may consider appointing a new prime minister, dissolving the national assembly for fresh elections, or continuing in his position until the presidential election. Each option presents its own challenges, as the political landscape remains fraught with divisions.
Source: https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/oct/06/sebastien-lecornu-france-pm-resigns-explainer