The Reasons Behind the French Prime Minister Stepped Down After Just 27 Days – & What Could Happen Next
The French prime minister, the country's leader, has resigned along with his government, under a month following his appointment and within moments of the new cabinet being announced, dramatically deepening the country's political crisis.
This marks another surprising turn in a series of events that suggest the nation, Europe's second-largest economy, is becoming increasingly ungovernable. Let's examine recent developments, why – and future possibilities.
What Just Happened?
Lecornu, after less than a month in office, tendered his resignation and that of his government on Monday, only half a day following the ministerial lineup reveal. This made him the shortest-lived prime minister since the Fifth Republic began.
Aged 39, ex-defense chief, a close ally of Emmanuel Macron, was France’s fifth prime minister since the president’s re-election in 2022 and the third post-parliament dissolution triggering snap polls conducted months ago.
He attributed the resignation to political rigidity, saying he had been “ready to compromise, yet all factions demanded others accept their entire agenda.” He noted it “would require little to succeed,” however “partisan attitudes” and “certain egos” stood in the way, he said.
The resignation alarmed markets, with the CAC 40 stock index dropping 2% and the euro declined 0.7%. The national debt ratio is the EU’s third-highest after Greece and Italy, nearly double the 60% permitted under EU rules – as is the nearly 6% deficit forecast.
Underlying Causes
Origins of the turmoil stem from last year's sudden polls, that resulted in a split assembly divided between three nearly equal factions: left-wing groups, nationalist right & the president's centrist coalition, none nearing a majority.
France’s financial crisis worsened the uncertainty, along with presidential elections due in 2027. The president is term-limited, as parties position themselves ahead of elections, compromise in the assembly is increasingly elusive.
Lecornu faced a difficult task to approve spending cuts through the divided assembly targeting reduction of the large fiscal gap – a challenge that ousted the previous two PMs, who were ousted by MPs over the plan.
The final catalyst for his resignation seems to be the reaction of the centre-right Les Républicains regarding the ministerial team. They claimed the largely unchanged lineup did not reflect the “profound break” from previous approaches he had pledged.
Revealing key ministries on Sunday evening prompted fierce criticism from all sides, with allies and opponents denouncing it for being too conservative or insufficiently so, and endangering its stability.
Reappointing Bruno Le Maire, Macron’s economy minister for seven years, to government as defence minister particularly enraged politicians across factions, viewing it as proof that his economic agenda were not up for discussion.
What Might Happen Now?
The far-right National Rally led by Le Pen and Bardella urged the president to dissolve parliament and call new votes, while the radical left France Unbowed renewed demands for Macron's resignation.
Macron has three main options, all hazardous and uninviting. Initially, he could name a new prime minister. Someone from his circle seems improbable, and a centrist left candidate could undermine his pension changes.
Alternatively, appointing a confirmed rightwinger would anger left-wing parties. Given the pressing need to secure some agreement for approving annual spending, some analysts have suggested he may try to turn to a non-party political technocrat.
Next, he may dissolve parliament and call fresh legislative elections, an option he has resisted and surveys indicate would probably return another divided parliament – or potentially usher in an RN government.
The last choice would be to resign, but again, he has refused to leave prior to the 2027 vote – a vote seen as a historic crossroads in French politics, with Le Pen sensing her best ever chance of taking power.
