The political instability gripping France reached an astonishing new peak on Monday, October 6, 2025, as newly appointed Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu resigned just hours after unveiling his new cabinet. Lecornu, a close ally of President Emmanuel Macron, was in the post for less than a month (approximately 27 days), making his tenure one of the shortest in the history of the French Fifth Republic.

This shock departure, accepted immediately by President Macron, plunges France further into a deep political crisis, sending ripples of uncertainty across European markets and fueling fervent calls from the opposition—both far-left and far-right—for snap parliamentary elections. The speed of the collapse underscores the impossible task facing any prime minister attempting to govern France’s bitterly fragmented National Assembly.

The Shortest Tenure: A Government Unravels in 14 Hours Sébastien Lecornu

Sébastien Lecornu has appointed by President Macron in early September, succeeding François Bayrou, whose government has toppled by a no-confidence vote over proposed budget cuts. Lecornu, a former Defense Minister known for his loyalty to Macron, has tasked with the near-impossible: forming a government that could secure support in a parliament where no party holds a working majority.

For weeks, Lecornu consulted meticulously with political factions and trade unions, publicly promising a “profound break” from the political deadlock that had defined his predecessors’ short stints. The culmination of this effort was the unveiling of his new cabinet late on Sunday evening.

The new government, a delicate coalition of centrists and conservatives, has meant to be the solution. Instead, it became the final straw. Lecornu resigned barely 14 hours later, before the newly appointed ministers could even hold their first official meeting. The suddenness of the move was unprecedented, catching even the newly installed ministers—who now become mere caretakers—by surprise.

As one reappointed minister, Agnès Pannier-Runacher, posted on social media: “I despair of this circus.”

Why Did Lecornu’s Government Collapse So Quickly?

Lecornu’s swift downfall was not due to a scandal or a parliamentary vote of no-confidence—it was the result of a pre-emptive capitulation to political reality. His new cabinet, rather than offering the promised “rupture,” has largely seen as a continuation of Macron’s past policies and a collection of familiar faces, including some ministers from his ousted predecessor’s team.

The criticism came from all sides, effectively blocking his path to governance before he could even begin:

1. Furore from Right-Wing Allies

Lecornu’s strategy was to court the center-right to build a stable bloc. However, his cabinet lineup—particularly the retention of key figures and controversial appointments like naming former finance minister Bruno Le Maire (who oversaw soaring public deficits) to the defense ministry—angered his potential allies. Right-wing figures indicated they would withdraw support, making the passage of the critical upcoming budget virtually impossible.

2. Opposition’s Immediate Threat

The fragmented opposition—which commands over 320 seats in the National Assembly compared to the centrist bloc’s roughly 210—pounced instantly.

• Far-Right National Rally (RN): Leader Jordan Bardella publicly mocked the lineup, calling it “pathetic” and “decidedly all about continuity.” The RN immediately reiterated its threat of a vote of no-confidence, making it clear that Lecornu’s government have swiftly toppled if it sought to govern without a radical policy change.
• Far-Left France Unbowed (LFI): The left wing also joined the chorus of criticism, seizing on the crisis to call for more drastic action against President Macron himself.

3. The Budgetary Imperative and The 49.3 Dilemma Sébastien Lecornu

Lecornu has appointed specifically to steer a crucial austerity budget through parliament to address France’s soaring public debt. His two immediate predecessors had ousted primarily over this issue. Lecornu had attempted to break the deadlock by promising not to use Article 49.3—the controversial constitutional power that allows a government to force a budget through parliament without a vote.

While this promise has meant to build compromise, it simultaneously stripped him of his only effective legislative weapon. Facing a unified threat from the opposition and desertion from his allies, Lecornu realized he had no mechanism to pass the essential budget, rendering his government paralyzed from day one. In his statement, Lecornu cited “the absence of the conditions necessary for stability and action” as his reason for stepping down.

A Deeper Political Crisis: Macron’s Revolving Door Sébastien Lecornu

Lecornu’s resignation is not an isolated incident; it is a symptom of a profound, systemic crisis gripping the French Fifth Republic.

• Political Instability: Lecornu has the fifth prime minister appointed by President Macron in just two years and the fourth in barely 15 months. Since Macron’s re-election in 2022 and the subsequent loss of his parliamentary majority, the country had mired in a cycle of instability where governments has short-lived and constantly at the mercy of a divided legislature.
• The Fragmented Parliament: Macron’s decision to call snap elections last year backfired, creating an even more fractured National Assembly. With the far-right and far-left holding significant blocs, the centrist government is perpetually unable to secure the majority required to implement its agenda, especially when it involves unpopular measures like spending cuts.
• Economic Fallout: The political turmoil immediately rattled financial markets. French stocks dropped sharply, with the Paris CAC-40 index plunging by nearly 2%. Major French banks saw their share prices tumble, and the Euro fell against other major currencies. The volatility threatens to delay key budget negotiations and destabilize France’s ability to tackle its debt crisis.

The Road Ahead: Snap Elections or Impeachment?

The political maneuvering following Lecornu’s exit is already in full swing, with the opposition demanding two radical outcomes:

1. Calls for Snap Elections

Both the far-right National Rally and other opposition groups immediately renewed their demand for President Macron to dissolve the National Assembly and call new parliamentary elections. Jordan Bardella, the RN leader, stated bluntly: “There can be no return to stability without a return to the polls and the dissolution of the National Assembly.”

Current polls suggest that in a snap election, the National Rally would be positioned to make significant gains, possibly leading to a period of “cohabitation,” where Macron is forced to name a prime minister from the far-right opposition—a scenario that would dramatically limit his power.

2. Pressure on Macron

Beyond new elections, the far-left leader Jean-Luc Mélenchon called for the impeachment of President Macron himself. As prime ministers continue to fail in quick succession, the crisis is increasingly seen as a failure of presidential strategy and an indictment of Macron’s inability to govern with a minority.

For now, President Macron faces the immediate and unenviable task of appointing a sixth prime minister in two years. Speculation is rife that he may turn to a technocrat or a figure who can temporarily command cross-party support purely to pass the budget, avoiding a full-scale political confrontation.

However, the rapid collapse of the Lecornu government serves as a chilling testament to the paralysis of French politics. Unless a stable parliamentary majority can be found—a seemingly impossible feat under the current configuration—the volatility, characterized by short-lived governments and dramatic resignations, looks set to continue indefinitely. The question is no longer who will be the next prime minister, but how much longer President Macron can govern the nation without a democratic mandate from a coherent majority.

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