The Reasons Behind the French PM Stepped Down After Only 27 Days – and What Could Follow

The French PM, Sébastien Lecornu, stepped down along with his government, less than 30 days after his appointment and just moments of the new cabinet being announced, dramatically deepening the country's governmental turmoil.

It is another surprising turn in a series of events indicating that the nation, the EU’s second-biggest member state, faces growing governance challenges. Let's examine what just happened, why – and future possibilities.

Recent Events

The prime minister, after less than a month in office, tendered his resignation along with the entire cabinet this week, only half a day after the key members of his cabinet had been announced. This made him the shortest-lived prime minister in modern French history.

The 39-year-old, former defence minister, a close ally of Emmanuel Macron, was France’s fifth prime minister after Macron's second term and third leader since Macron dissolved parliament triggering snap polls conducted months ago.

Lecornu blamed political rigidity, stating he was “willing to negotiate, yet all factions demanded others accept their entire agenda.” It would “would require little to succeed,” however “partisan attitudes” along with “certain egos” stood in the way, he said.

His departure spooked investors, as the CAC 40 fell 2% and the euro declined 0.7%. The national debt ratio ranks third in the EU after Greece and Italy, almost twice the EU's 60% limit – similar to the nearly 6% deficit forecast.

Why Did It Happen?

Origins of the turmoil stem from that 2024 snap general election, that resulted in a hung parliament divided between three nearly equal factions: left-wing groups, nationalist right & Macron’s own centre-right alliance, with no group coming close to a clear majority.

France’s financial crisis worsened the uncertainty, as have presidential elections due in 2027. The president is term-limited, and with each party keen to stake out its ground before the vote, compromise in the assembly is increasingly elusive.

Lecornu faced the tough job of passing an austerity budget in a fractured parliament aimed at reining in the yawning budget deficit – a task that defeated his two immediate predecessors, who were ousted by MPs over the plan.

The immediate trigger leading to his exit appears to have been response from conservative parties regarding the ministerial team. They claimed the similar composition did not reflect the “profound break” with past politics he had pledged.

But announcement of the main cabinet posts last Sunday prompted fierce criticism from all sides, with allies and opponents denouncing it as either too rightwing or not rightwing enough, and threatening to topple the new government.

Reappointing Bruno Le Maire, Macron’s economy minister for seven years, as defense head particularly enraged politicians across factions, who saw it as a confirmation that his economic agenda were not up for discussion.

Future Scenarios

Nationalist parties of Marine Le Pen and Jordan Bardella has called on Macron to dissolve parliament and hold fresh elections, while the radical left France Unbowed renewed demands for Macron's resignation.

Macron has three main options, each risky and none very appealing. First, he might appoint another PM. Someone from his circle seems improbable, and a centrist left candidate could undermine his pension changes.

Alternatively, selecting a staunch conservative would infuriate the left bloc. Due to urgent requirements to secure some agreement to at least pass a budget for this year, some analysts have suggested he may try to turn to an independent expert.

Second, he could dissolve the national assembly and call fresh legislative elections, a move he has consistently said he is reluctant to do and which polls suggest 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 for France, with Le Pen sensing her best ever chance of taking power.