Why the French Prime Minister Stepped Down Following Just 27 Days – & What Could Follow

The French PM, the country's leader, has resigned along with the cabinet, under 30 days after taking office and within hours after unveiling his ministers, dramatically deepening France's political crisis.

It is the latest shock development following recent incidents that suggest France, the EU’s second-biggest member state, is becoming increasingly ungovernable. Let's examine what just happened, the causes and future possibilities.

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Lecornu, after less than a month in office, submitted his departure and that of his government this week, 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 that were held last summer.

He attributed the resignation to party-political intransigence, stating he was “willing to negotiate, but every party wanted every other party to adopt its full programme.” It would “would require little to succeed,” however “ideological stubbornness” along with “certain egos” blocked progress, according to him.

The resignation spooked investors, as the CAC 40 fell 2% and the euro, 0.7%. France’s debt-to-GDP 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 stem from last year's sudden polls, that resulted in a split assembly split among three nearly equal factions: the left, nationalist right and the president's centrist coalition, none nearing a majority.

The economic downturn has only added to that instability, along with the 2027 presidential race. The president is term-limited, and with each party keen to stake out its ground before the vote, common ground in parliament is increasingly elusive.

Lecornu faced a difficult task of passing an austerity budget in a fractured parliament aimed at reining in the large fiscal gap – a challenge that ousted his two immediate predecessors, who were ousted by MPs over the plan.

The immediate trigger for his resignation appears to have been response from conservative parties regarding the ministerial team. They claimed the similar composition did not reflect the “profound break” from previous approaches that Lecornu had promised.

Revealing key ministries on Sunday evening drew strong objections from across the political spectrum, as supporters and critics condemned it as either too rightwing or not rightwing enough, and threatening to topple the new government.

Reappointing Bruno Le Maire, Macron’s economy minister for seven years, to government as defence minister angered many lawmakers 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, each risky and none very appealing. First, he could name a new prime minister. A figure from within his own camp seems improbable, while even a moderate leftwinger would challenge his hard-won pension reform.

Alternatively, selecting a staunch conservative would infuriate the left bloc. Given the pressing need to achieve a minimum of consensus for approving annual spending, some analysts have suggested he may try to turn to a non-party political technocrat.

Next, he may dissolve parliament and initiate new elections, an option he has resisted and surveys indicate would probably return another divided parliament – or potentially usher in an RN government.

His final option is stepping down, but again, he has refused to leave before the presidential election in 2027 – a vote seen as a historic crossroads for France, with Le Pen sensing her best ever chance of taking power.