French PM Lecornu quits after weeks in office

In a surprising political twist, France’s Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu has resigned less than a month after taking office. His sudden exit has deepened the country’s ongoing political crisis and left President Emmanuel Macron struggling to restore stability.

This Breaking News has shocked both citizens and political leaders across France. Lecornu’s decision comes just one day after his cabinet was officially introduced, raising serious questions about the government’s ability to function effectively in a divided parliament.

1. Lecornu’s Sudden Resignation

In a short statement on Monday morning, Lecornu announced his resignation, saying that “the conditions were not fulfilled for me to carry on as prime minister.” He criticized political parties for their unwillingness to compromise and work together.

The Elysée Palace confirmed the news shortly after Lecornu met with President Macron for an hour-long meeting. His resignation marks another setback for the French government, which has seen five prime ministers in less than two years.

This comes after the collapse of the previous government led by François Bayrou, whose budget plan was rejected by parliament earlier this year.

2. Political Crisis Deepens

Lecornu’s short-lived cabinet faced intense criticism from all major political parties. Many lawmakers said the new cabinet was “a copy of the old one” and threatened to block it in parliament.

Opposition leaders have now renewed their calls for early elections, saying the government no longer represents the people. Marine Le Pen, leader of the far-right National Rally (RN), declared, “The only wise thing to do now is to hold elections. French people are fed up.”

The Latest News reports that President Macron faces growing pressure from both the left and the right to dissolve the National Assembly and call for fresh elections.

3. Macron’s Tough Choices Ahead

Now, President Macron must decide what to do next. He has three main options:

• Appoint another prime minister – but finding someone who can unite the divided parliament seems nearly impossible.
• Dissolve the National Assembly and call for new elections – a move that could strengthen the far-right but may also bring political clarity.
• Resign himself – though this is considered the least likely option.

Many analysts believe Macron will go for the second option and announce legislative elections, even if it risks a major defeat for his centrist alliance.

4. A History of Political Instability

Since mid-2024, French politics has been in constant turmoil. Macron’s decision to hold snap parliamentary elections after his party’s poor performance in the European Parliament elections backfired.

The elections resulted in a hung parliament, divided between left-wing, right-wing, and centrist blocs that refuse to cooperate. This political deadlock has made it nearly impossible for any prime minister to pass laws or manage the country’s finances effectively.

Previous prime ministers, including Michel Barnier and François Bayrou, also failed to maintain support for long. Both governments collapsed due to disagreements over economic reforms and spending cuts.

5. Economic and Financial Concerns

France is facing serious economic challenges, adding pressure to the government’s instability. The country’s national debt now stands at 114% of GDP, one of the highest in Europe after Greece and Italy. Its budget deficit has reached 5.8% of GDP, creating more concern among investors.

Following Lecornu’s resignation, Paris stock markets fell sharply on Monday morning. Experts warn that the ongoing political uncertainty could weaken investor confidence and slow economic recovery.

Lecornu, who served previously as Defense Minister, blamed “partisan appetites” and political egos for his failure to lead effectively. He said he had hoped for compromise, but every party wanted full control. “It wouldn’t need much for this to work,” he said, urging politicians to be humble and work for France’s stability.

6. What Lies Ahead for France

Lecornu’s resignation once again shows how fragile France’s political situation has become. With tensions growing and no clear path forward, President Macron now faces one of the most difficult choices of his leadership.

He must either find a new leader capable of uniting the divided parliament or call for early national elections to give French citizens a fresh voice. Both choices come with high risks — another weak government could damage confidence further, while new elections might give more power to the far-right.

Across France, people are watching closely, hoping for stability and leadership that can bring the country together. The next few weeks will shape the future of French politics and determine how Macron’s presidency is remembered.