France has entered another wave of political crisis after Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu resigned just 27 days into office following widespread criticism of his newly formed cabinet and the refusal of opposition parties to support his government.
The sudden resignation has deepened an already fragile situation in the country’s divided parliament.
Lecornu stepped down only hours after unveiling his cabinet lineup. Speaking outside the Hôtel de Matignon, he said that political factions behaved “as if they had an absolute majority” and that he had been “ready for compromise but all parties wanted the other party to adopt their programmes in their entirety.” His comment reflected growing frustration with a political environment where consensus has become almost impossible.
Observers pointed out that Lecornu’s cabinet closely resembled that of his predecessor, which fueled criticism that his government lacked innovation. Opposition parties reacted swiftly, accusing him of failing to bring meaningful reform, and many withdrew their support almost immediately. Lecornu’s short tenure has now become one of the briefest in France’s modern history.
In his farewell statement, Lecornu expressed disappointment, saying it “would not need much for this to work,” but blamed “partisan attitudes” and “certain egos” for obstructing progress. His remarks captured the tension within France’s fractured political class, where deep ideological divisions have prevented any lasting coalition from forming.
President Emmanuel Macron has accepted Lecornu’s resignation and tasked him with leading urgent consultations to determine whether a new government can be formed. Macron now faces a difficult decision between appointing another prime minister or dissolving the National Assembly, a move that could trigger yet another election in a politically exhausted nation.
The turmoil has rattled investors and financial markets. The CAC 40 index recorded a drop while the euro weakened as analysts warned that prolonged instability could derail crucial fiscal reforms. Credit agencies also issued cautionary statements about France’s ability to sustain budget discipline amid deepening political paralysis.