Why the French PM Resigned Following Just 27 Days – & Potential Happen Next

France's PM, Sébastien Lecornu, has resigned along with his government, under a month after his appointment and within hours after unveiling his ministers, significantly worsening the country's governmental turmoil.

This marks the latest shock development following recent incidents indicating that the nation, the EU’s second-biggest member state, is becoming increasingly ungovernable. Here is a look at what just happened, the causes and what might come next.

Recent Events

Lecornu, after less than a month in office, submitted his departure along with the entire cabinet on Monday, only half a day following the ministerial lineup reveal. He became the shortest-lived prime minister in modern French history.

Aged 39, ex-defense chief, aligned with the president, was France’s fifth prime minister since the president’s re-election in 2022 and the third since Macron dissolved parliament and called early legislative elections conducted months ago.

Lecornu blamed party-political intransigence, saying he had been “ready to compromise, but every party wanted every other party to adopt its full programme.” He noted it “would require little to succeed,” but “ideological stubbornness” along with “personal ambitions” blocked progress, according to him.

The resignation spooked investors, as the CAC 40 fell 2% and the euro declined 0.7%. France’s debt-to-GDP ratio is the EU’s third-highest after Greece and Italy, almost twice the 60% permitted under EU rules – similar to the nearly 6% deficit forecast.

Underlying Causes

Origins of the turmoil lie in that 2024 snap general election, that resulted in a hung parliament split among three nearly equal factions: left-wing groups, nationalist right and the president's centrist coalition, none nearing a majority.

The economic downturn worsened the uncertainty, along with the 2027 presidential race. Macron cannot stand again, as parties position themselves before the vote, common ground in parliament is increasingly elusive.

Lecornu faced the tough job of passing an austerity budget through the divided assembly targeting reduction of the large fiscal gap – a challenge that ousted the previous two PMs, who were ousted by MPs over the plan.

The final catalyst leading to his exit seems to be response from conservative parties to the new cabinet. The party said the largely unchanged lineup did not reflect the “profound break” with past politics he had pledged.

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

Reappointing Bruno Le Maire, long-time finance chief, to government as defence minister angered many lawmakers across factions, who saw it as a confirmation that Macron’s pro-business economic policies were not up for discussion.

What Might Happen Now?

The far-right National Rally led by Le Pen and Bardella urged the president to disband the assembly and hold fresh elections, while the radical left France Unbowed renewed demands for Macron's resignation.

The president faces three choices, all hazardous and none very appealing. Initially, he could name a new prime minister. A figure from within his own camp now appears unlikely, and a centrist left candidate would challenge his hard-won pension reform.

On the other hand, selecting a staunch conservative would anger left-wing parties. Due to urgent requirements to achieve a minimum of consensus to at least pass a budget for this year, experts propose he might consider an independent expert.

Second, he may dissolve parliament and initiate new elections, a move he has consistently said he is reluctant to do and which polls suggest could yield another split result – or potentially usher in an RN government.

The last choice is stepping down, however, he has repeatedly ruled out standing aside before the presidential election in 2027 – an election viewed as pivotal in French politics, with Le Pen sensing her best ever chance of taking power.