France Faces Uncertainty as Prime Minister Resigns
Paris – France is grappling with political turmoil as Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu stepped down unexpectedly, just a day after announcing his government. This resignation, following less than a month in office, puts President Emmanuel Macron in a difficult position.
The French presidency confirmed Monday that Macron accepted Lecornu’s resignation. Lecornu, a Macron ally, stated that he could no longer effectively lead due to a lack of unity.
“One must always put one’s country before one’s party,” Lecornu said in his resignation speech, hinting at disagreements that made his position untenable.
This marks the fourth prime minister in a little over a year, highlighting ongoing instability in French politics. Last year’s elections resulted in a divided legislature, with no single party holding a majority. This has made it hard to pass laws and move the country forward.
Marine Le Pen, leader of the National Rally, called for new elections or for Macron to resign, saying, “We have reached the end of the road.”
The resignation has caused concern among investors, as seen in the drop of the CAC-40 index. Newly appointed ministers now find themselves temporarily managing their departments until a new government is formed.
Critics had questioned Lecornu’s choices for his cabinet, including the return of former Finance Minister Bruno Le Maire, whose tenure was marked by a rise in France’s public debt. France is currently dealing with a significant debt issue.
Lecornu’s main goal was to pass a budget while trying to manage France’s debt. At the start of 2025, France’s debt was high.
Some key ministers from the previous cabinet will remain in their roles, including Bruno Retailleau as interior minister and Gérald Darmanin as justice minister.
Before forming his government, Lecornu consulted with various political groups and unions, aiming for consensus. He had also promised to avoid using special powers to push budgets through Parliament without a vote, seeking compromise instead.
