The Reasons Behind France's PM Stepped Down After Only 27 Days – & What Could Follow

France's prime minister, Sébastien Lecornu, stepped down along with his government, less than 30 days following taking office and within moments after unveiling his ministers, dramatically deepening the country's political crisis.

It is another surprising turn in a series of events that suggest France, Europe's second-largest economy, is becoming increasingly ungovernable. Let's examine recent developments, the causes and future possibilities.

What Just Happened?

Lecornu, after less than a month in office, tendered his resignation and that of his government on Monday, 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 the third post-parliament dissolution triggering snap polls conducted months ago.

He attributed the resignation to political rigidity, saying he had been “willing to negotiate, yet all factions demanded every other party to adopt its full programme.” He noted it “would require little to succeed,” but “partisan attitudes” and “personal ambitions” stood in the way, he said.

The resignation alarmed markets, with the CAC 40 stock index dropping 2% and the euro, 0.7%. The national debt ratio is the EU’s third-highest behind Greece and Italy, nearly double the EU's 60% limit – as is the nearly 6% deficit forecast.

Why Did It Happen?

The roots of the crisis lie in last year's sudden polls, that resulted in a split assembly split among three more or less equal blocs: left-wing groups, the far right & 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, and with each party keen to stake out its ground before the vote, compromise in the assembly has become even harder to find.

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

The final catalyst for his resignation appears to have been response from conservative parties to the new cabinet. The party said the similar composition did not reflect the “profound break” from previous approaches that Lecornu had promised.

Revealing key ministries last Sunday drew strong objections from across the political spectrum, as supporters and critics condemned it for being too conservative or insufficiently so, and threatening to topple the new government.

The return of Bruno Le Maire, Macron’s economy minister for seven years, to government as defence minister particularly enraged politicians across factions, who saw it as a confirmation that his economic agenda was non-negotiable.

Future Scenarios

The far-right National Rally led by Le Pen and Bardella has called on Macron to disband the assembly and hold fresh elections, while the radical left France Unbowed has reiterated longstanding calls for Macron's resignation.

The president faces three choices, all hazardous and none very appealing. Initially, he could name a new prime minister. Someone from his circle seems improbable, while even a moderate leftwinger could undermine his pension changes.

Alternatively, appointing a confirmed rightwinger would anger left-wing parties. Due to urgent requirements to secure some agreement for approving annual spending, some analysts have suggested he might consider a non-party political technocrat.

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.

The last choice is stepping down, but again, he has repeatedly ruled out standing aside prior to the 2027 vote – a vote seen as a historic crossroads for France, with Le Pen sensing her best ever chance of taking power.