French prime minister Sébastien Lecornu resigned on Monday morning, less than 14 hours after announcing the composition of his government. His tenure lasted just 27 days—the shortest premiership in modern French history.
The resignation marks a new stage in a political crisis for which France has few precedents. After three changes of government in a year, Emmanuel Macron faces mounting pressure, with growing calls to dissolve parliament or step down himself.
Origins of the Crisis
The crisis began a year ago when Macron dissolved parliament following his party’s defeat in the European elections. The resulting snap vote produced a fragmented legislature in which no political force was able to form a majority.
Attempts by Lecornu’s two predecessors—Michel Barnier and François Bayrou—to cut spending and contain the budget deficit ended in votes of no confidence. Lecornu sought to pursue a similar course, focusing on budget talks and delaying the formation of his cabinet. He remained without a government for 26 days—a record under the Fifth Republic.
The opposition demanded clear evidence of a break with Macron’s policies. On Friday, Lecornu pledged not to invoke the constitutional article allowing laws to be passed without a vote, but that failed to convince the parliamentary majority.
The Socialists pushed to reopen the pension reform, while conservatives from the Republicans, led by Bruno Retailleau, insisted on maintaining control over migration policy and excluding any new wealth tax.
In response, Lecornu sent a letter of intent outlining broad priorities—chief among them the fight against illegal migration. Yet when the cabinet was announced, the promised “new course” failed to materialize: most ministers were carried over from the previous lineup, and key posts went to centrists Bruno Le Maire and Roland Lescure.
Later that evening, Retailleau said the cabinet did not reflect a break with the past and convened an emergency party meeting. On Monday, he declared that Lecornu had lost his confidence by appointing Le Maire without consultation.
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Consequences for Macron
The crisis quickly spread to the president’s camp. According to sources close to the Élysée Palace, frustration within Macron’s inner circle is mounting: some believe the president is deliberately allowing chaos to unfold, hoping to stage a comeback in 2032 after a change of power.
Macron, who is constitutionally barred from seeking a third term, has not commented on such speculation. Meanwhile, political instability is weighing on the markets: the CAC 40 index fell by nearly two percent after Lecornu’s resignation, and the yield on France’s ten-year bonds temporarily surpassed Italy’s, reaching a yearly high.
The Political Outcome Remains Unclear
Lecornu’s resignation has once again plunged France into uncertainty. Macron faces several options—none of which promises a clear path out of the crisis.
He could appoint a new prime minister from among his allies—this would be the sixth head of government since his re-election. But after the failures of Barnier, Bayrou, and Lecornu, such a move is unlikely to stabilize the situation.
Another option would be to invite the left to form a government, as they demand the right to govern after winning the snap elections. For Macron, however, that would mean abandoning his political legacy.
Calls for his resignation are growing on both sides. Macron has repeatedly rejected that possibility, as well as the idea of new elections—even though it was last year’s snap vote that led to the current deadlock.
“The sooner we return to the ballot box, the sooner we can restore stability,” said National Rally leader Jordan Bardella. “We can’t keep changing governments every 48 hours.”