Why the French Prime Minister Stepped Down Following Just 27 Days – and Potential Happen Next

France's PM, the country's leader, stepped down along with his government, less than a month following his appointment and within hours of the new cabinet being announced, dramatically deepening the country's governmental turmoil.

This marks the latest shock development in a series of events indicating that France, Europe's second-largest economy, faces growing governance challenges. Here is a look at recent developments, the causes and what might come next.

Recent Events

Lecornu, after less than a month in office, submitted his departure 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.

Aged 39, ex-defense chief, a close ally of Emmanuel Macron, was France’s fifth prime minister after Macron's second term and the third since Macron dissolved parliament triggering snap polls conducted months ago.

He attributed the resignation to party-political intransigence, 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,” however “partisan attitudes” along with “certain egos” 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 behind Greece and Italy, almost twice the EU's 60% limit – similar to its projected budget deficit of nearly 6%.

Underlying Causes

Origins of the turmoil lie in that 2024 snap general election, which produced a hung parliament divided between three more or less equal blocs: the left, the far right & the president's centrist coalition, with no group coming close to a clear majority.

France’s financial crisis has only added to that instability, as have presidential elections due in 2027. Macron cannot stand again, and with each party keen to stake out its ground before the vote, common ground in parliament is increasingly elusive.

He encountered a difficult task to approve spending cuts in a fractured parliament targeting reduction of the yawning budget deficit – a challenge that ousted his two immediate predecessors, removed by lawmakers for similar efforts.

The final catalyst leading to his exit appears to have been response from conservative parties regarding the ministerial team. The party said the similar composition did not reflect the “profound break” with past politics that Lecornu had promised.

Revealing key ministries last Sunday prompted fierce criticism 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 Macron’s pro-business economic policies was non-negotiable.

What Might Happen Now?

Nationalist parties led by Le Pen and Bardella has called on Macron to dissolve parliament and hold fresh elections, as leftist groups renewed demands for the president himself to step down.

Macron has three main options, all hazardous and none very appealing. Initially, he could name a new prime minister. A figure from within his own camp now appears unlikely, while even a moderate leftwinger would challenge his hard-won pension reform.

Alternatively, appointing a confirmed rightwinger would anger left-wing parties. Given the pressing need to achieve a minimum of consensus to at least pass a budget for this year, experts propose 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 which polls suggest would probably return another divided parliament – or bring nationalists to power.

The last choice would be to resign, however, he has repeatedly ruled out standing aside prior to the 2027 vote – an election viewed as pivotal for France, with Le Pen sensing her best ever chance of taking power.