The Reasons Behind the French Prime Minister Resigned Following Only 27 Days – & Potential Happen Next

France's PM, Sébastien Lecornu, has resigned together with his government, less than a month after his appointment and within moments of the new cabinet being announced, significantly worsening France's political crisis.

It is the latest shock development in a series of events that suggest France, Europe's second-largest economy, is becoming increasingly ungovernable. Here is a look at recent developments, why – and future possibilities.

Recent Events

The prime minister, after less than a month in office, submitted his departure along with the entire cabinet this week, only half a day following the ministerial lineup reveal. This made him the shortest-lived prime minister since the Fifth Republic began.

The 39-year-old, 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, but every party wanted others accept their entire agenda.” He noted it “would require little to succeed,” but “partisan attitudes” and “certain egos” blocked progress, he said.

The resignation alarmed markets, as the CAC 40 fell 2% and the euro declined 0.7%. The national debt ratio ranks third in the EU behind Greece and Italy, nearly double the 60% permitted under EU rules – as is its projected budget deficit of nearly 6%.

Why Did It Happen?

Origins of the turmoil stem from that 2024 snap general election, which produced a hung parliament divided between three more or less equal blocs: the left, the far right and Macron’s own centre-right alliance, with no group coming close to a clear majority.

France’s financial crisis has only added to that instability, as have the 2027 presidential race. Macron cannot stand again, and with each party keen to stake out its ground ahead of elections, compromise in the assembly is increasingly elusive.

He encountered the tough job of passing an austerity budget through the divided assembly aimed at reining in the large fiscal gap – a task that defeated the previous two PMs, who were ousted by MPs over the plan.

The final catalyst leading to his exit appears to have been response from conservative parties regarding the ministerial team. They claimed the similar composition failed to represent the “profound break” from previous approaches he had pledged.

Revealing key ministries last Sunday prompted fierce criticism from across the political spectrum, with allies and opponents denouncing it for being too conservative or insufficiently so, and endangering its stability.

Reappointing Bruno Le Maire, long-time finance chief, as defense head angered many lawmakers across factions, who saw it as a confirmation that his economic agenda were not up for discussion.

Future Scenarios

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, each risky and uninviting. First, he might appoint another PM. Someone from his circle now appears unlikely, while even a moderate leftwinger could undermine his pension changes.

On the other hand, appointing a confirmed rightwinger would anger left-wing parties. 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.

Next, he may dissolve parliament and call fresh legislative elections, a move he has consistently said he is reluctant to do and surveys indicate could yield another split result – or potentially usher in an RN government.

His final option is stepping down, however, he has refused to leave prior to the 2027 vote – a vote seen as a historic crossroads for France, as Le Pen eyes a potential victory.