Why France's Prime Minister Stepped Down After Only 27 Days – & What Could Follow

The French prime minister, Sébastien Lecornu, has resigned together with his government, less than 30 days after his appointment and within hours after unveiling his ministers, dramatically deepening the country's political crisis.

It is the latest shock development following recent incidents indicating that France, the EU’s second-biggest member state, faces growing governance challenges. Here is a look at recent developments, why – and future possibilities.

What Just Happened?

Lecornu, after less than a month in office, submitted his departure along with the entire cabinet on Monday, barely 12 hours after the key members of his cabinet had been announced. This made him the shortest-lived prime minister in modern French history.

Aged 39, former defence minister, aligned with the president, was France’s fifth prime minister since the president’s re-election in 2022 and third leader since Macron dissolved parliament and called early legislative elections that were held last summer.

Lecornu blamed political rigidity, stating he was “willing to negotiate, yet all factions demanded every other party to adopt its full programme.” He noted it “would require little to succeed,” however “partisan attitudes” and “certain egos” stood in the way, according to him.

The resignation spooked investors, with the CAC 40 stock index dropping 2% and the euro declined 0.7%. France’s debt-to-GDP ratio ranks third in the EU behind Greece and Italy, almost twice the 60% permitted under EU rules – similar to the nearly 6% deficit forecast.

Why Did It Happen?

The roots of the crisis stem from that 2024 snap general election, which produced a hung parliament divided between three nearly equal factions: the left, nationalist right & the president's centrist coalition, none nearing a majority.

The economic downturn has only added to that instability, as have the 2027 presidential race. The president is term-limited, and with each party keen to stake out its ground before the vote, common ground in parliament has become even harder to find.

He encountered a difficult task to approve spending cuts in a fractured parliament targeting reduction of the large fiscal gap – a challenge that ousted his two immediate predecessors, removed by lawmakers for similar efforts.

The immediate trigger for his resignation appears to have been the reaction of the centre-right Les Républicains regarding the ministerial team. The party said the similar composition did not reflect a significant shift with past politics that Lecornu had promised.

But announcement of the main cabinet posts last Sunday prompted fierce criticism from all sides, as supporters and critics condemned it as either too rightwing or not rightwing enough, and endangering its stability.

The return of Bruno Le Maire, Macron’s economy minister for seven years, to government as defence minister angered many lawmakers across factions, who saw it as a confirmation 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 hold fresh elections, while the radical left France Unbowed renewed demands for Macron's resignation.

Macron has three main options, all hazardous and none very appealing. Initially, he could name a new prime minister. Someone from his circle now appears unlikely, and a centrist left candidate would challenge his hard-won pension reform.

Alternatively, appointing a confirmed rightwinger would infuriate the left bloc. Due to urgent requirements to achieve a minimum of consensus for approving annual spending, some analysts have suggested he might consider an independent expert.

Next, he may dissolve parliament and initiate new elections, an option he has resisted and surveys indicate would probably return another divided parliament – or bring nationalists to power.

The last choice is stepping down, but again, he has repeatedly ruled out standing aside prior to the 2027 vote – an election viewed as pivotal in French politics, as Le Pen eyes a potential victory.