France Prime Minister Sebastien Lecornu Resigns After 27 Days
France has once again entered a phase of political instability. Prime Minister Sebastien Lecornu shocked the nation on Monday evening by suddenly resigning from his post. The resignation came just hours after he had announced his new cabinet. Lecornu remained in office for only 27 days — marking the shortest tenure for a French prime minister in modern history. His decision not only jolted President Emmanuel Macron’s government but also triggered a new wave of political manoeuvring in parliament, within the ruling coalition, and among the opposition.
A Government Lasting Just 27 Days
Sebastien Lecornu was sworn in as France’s prime minister on 9 September 2025, after President Macron replaced former prime minister Gabriel Attal with hopes of steering the country toward stable governance. However, the experiment collapsed within weeks. In less than a month, internal factionalism, a parliamentary minority, and fierce opposition uprooted the foundation of his administration.
On Monday, Lecornu formally submitted his resignation to President Macron, stating that under the current political climate he could no longer fulfil his duties. According to him, rival political parties were “busy imposing their agendas on each other instead of cooperating in parliament,” which had paralysed the government’s functioning and made sustainable policy decisions nearly impossible.
Questions Over Cabinet Formation
Lecornu’s final decision came just hours after presenting his new cabinet. He had unveiled a compact but prestigious team, with several familiar faces returning. Notably, former finance minister Bruno Le Maire was reappointed as defence minister. Analysts, however, described the line-up as “an attempt to preserve the old power structure.”
Discontent quickly spread within the ruling coalition. Young lawmakers and centrist allies criticised the cabinet as “a step against the aspirations of a new era.” Meanwhile, the opposition branded it a “recycling of Macronism” and launched direct criticism of the president. Left-wing groups in parliament began preparing a no-confidence motion, while Marine Le Pen’s National Rally party formally demanded nationwide elections. Political observers say this environment set the stage for the countdown to Lecornu’s government’s collapse.
A New Challenge for President Macron
Lecornu’s resignation has cast a shadow on President Emmanuel Macron’s leadership. This marks France’s fifth prime ministerial change in just two years, underscoring the president’s declining influence and growing opposition. Macron has already lost his parliamentary majority, and the repeated turnover of prime ministers has further weakened the foundations of power.
According to sources close to the Elysee Palace, Macron has begun consultations with senior political figures in an attempt to stabilise the situation. Observers believe he may consider forming a “national unity government” by including left-wing and centrist parties. However, opposition forces appear unwilling to cooperate. Both the left-wing bloc and the National Rally are pressing Macron either to call fresh elections or to resign himself.
Rising Tensions in Parliament
The National Assembly has become a battleground between the government and the opposition. A draft no-confidence motion against Lecornu’s administration was already prepared and was expected to be tabled within days. The leftist coalition, the Green Party, and Marine Le Pen’s National Rally had already been opposing the president’s policy direction.
Economic Fallout
Following Lecornu’s resignation, France’s financial markets reacted immediately. The euro slipped in value, and the Paris Stock Exchange’s benchmark CAC 40 closed down by nearly 1.8%. Investors are now adopting a cautious stance amid uncertainty over who will form the next government and what direction economic policies will take.
The banking and energy sectors were hit the hardest. Financial experts have warned that unless a stable government emerges within the coming weeks, Europe’s second-largest economy could face difficulties in sustaining its growth momentum.
Growing Public Discontent
Ordinary French citizens are showing signs of fatigue with the constant political turnover. The repeated change of prime ministers and parliamentary gridlock has created a sense of insecurity and mistrust among the public. Small-scale protests were reported in Paris and other cities, with opposition supporters chanting slogans such as “New Direction, New Beginning.”
Young voters, in particular, are voicing concerns, saying the country needs “stable leadership” rather than continued “power games.” French politics — once considered a model of Europe’s democratic stability — now appears trapped in a cycle of collapse and reformation.
What Comes Next?
Attention now turns to President Emmanuel Macron and his next move. Two possibilities are on the table: appointing a new prime minister and attempting to cobble together a coalition government, or dissolving parliament and calling fresh elections. Both options carry significant risks.
Names circulating in political circles include former foreign minister Catherine Colonna and economist Jean Pisani-Ferry. However, Macron’s choice remains unclear, and no swift decision is expected.
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