Paris | M10 News Original Report
France’s political turmoil deepened on Monday as Prime Minister Sebastien Lecornu resigned less than a month after taking office, becoming the seventh head of government under President Emmanuel Macron.
The Elysee Palace confirmed that Macron had accepted Lecornu’s resignation, which came just hours after the 39-year-old appointed his cabinet and faced fierce backlash from both allies and opponents.
Cabinet Appointment Sparks Uproar
On Sunday, Lecornu unveiled his new cabinet, which was set to hold its first meeting on Monday afternoon. But the line-up quickly drew criticism across the political spectrum — viewed by some as too right-wing, and by others as not right-wing enough.
The controversy underscored the deep divisions within France’s fragmented parliament, where no single party commands a majority.
“Each Party Wanted It All,” Lecornu Says
In a brief speech outside Matignon Palace, Lecornu cited the country’s toxic political environment as the reason for his departure.
“I was ready to compromise, but each political party wanted the other political party to adopt its entire programme,” he said.
“Political parties are all behaving as if they have their own majority in parliament.”
Unprecedented Departure After 27 Days
Lecornu’s resignation — just 27 days after his appointment — marks one of the shortest premierships in modern French history.
He was seen as a close Macron ally and a pragmatic conservative who could navigate France’s complex coalition politics. His exit, however, leaves the government leaderless once again amid mounting economic and social pressures.
Political Chaos Deepens
Since Macron’s re-election in 2022, France’s National Assembly has been mired in deadlock. The president’s decision to call a snap election last year backfired, producing an even more divided legislature.
Opposition leaders wasted no time responding to Lecornu’s resignation.
Calls for Macron’s Impeachment and New Elections
Far-left leader Jean-Luc Mélenchon, head of the France Unbowed party, demanded the impeachment of Macron, accusing the president of “plunging France into instability.”
Meanwhile, the far-right National Rally (RN) called for Macron to either resign or dissolve parliament.
“There can be no return to stability without a return to the polls,” said Jordan Bardella, RN co-leader.
“The farce has gone on long enough,” added Marine Le Pen, echoing his demand for fresh elections.
Economic Fallout Follows Political Turmoil
The markets reacted swiftly to the shock resignation.
French stocks and the euro both fell sharply on Monday morning. The CAC 40 index dropped 1.5%, led by steep declines in major banks. Société Générale plunged more than 6%, while BNP Paribas and Crédit Agricole also saw significant losses.
French government bond yields rose, pushing borrowing costs to their highest levels in nearly a month.
Macron Faces Mounting Pressure
The resignation leaves President Macron facing one of the most serious political crises of his tenure. With his centrist coalition weakened and no clear successor to Lecornu in sight, analysts say Macron may soon have little choice but to call new elections.
The Elysee has yet to announce an interim prime minister or a timetable for appointing a successor.
For now, France remains without a functioning government — and with its political class once again locked in stalemate.
