Why the French Prime Minister Stepped Down Following Only 27 Days – and Potential Follow

France's PM, Sébastien Lecornu, has resigned along with the cabinet, less than a month following taking office and just hours after unveiling his ministers, dramatically deepening the country's political crisis.

It is the latest shock development following recent incidents indicating that the nation, Europe's second-largest economy, is becoming increasingly ungovernable. Here is a look at what just happened, the causes and future possibilities.

What Just Happened?

Lecornu, who was appointed 27 days ago, tendered his resignation and that of his government this week, only half a day following the ministerial lineup reveal. This made him the shortest-lived prime minister in modern French history.

The 39-year-old, former defence minister, aligned with the president, was France’s fifth prime minister after Macron's second term and the third post-parliament dissolution and called early legislative elections conducted months ago.

Lecornu blamed party-political intransigence, stating he was “willing to negotiate, yet all factions demanded every other party to adopt its full programme.” It would “would require little to succeed,” however “partisan attitudes” and “personal ambitions” blocked progress, he said.

The resignation spooked investors, as the CAC 40 fell 2% and the euro, 0.7%. The national debt ratio is the EU’s third-highest behind Greece and Italy, almost twice the 60% permitted under EU rules – as is its projected budget deficit of nearly 6%.

Underlying Causes

The roots of the crisis stem from that 2024 snap general election, which produced a hung parliament 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 has only added to that instability, as have 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 to approve spending cuts in a fractured parliament targeting reduction of the yawning budget deficit – a task that defeated the previous two PMs, removed by lawmakers for similar efforts.

The immediate trigger for his resignation appears to have been the reaction of the centre-right Les Républicains regarding the ministerial team. They claimed the similar composition did not reflect a significant shift 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 for being too conservative or insufficiently so, and endangering its stability.

The return of Bruno Le Maire, long-time finance chief, to government as defence minister angered many lawmakers from most parties, viewing it as proof that his economic agenda were not up for discussion.

Future Scenarios

The far-right National Rally of Marine Le Pen and Jordan Bardella has called on Macron to dissolve parliament and call new votes, while the radical left France Unbowed has reiterated longstanding calls for the president himself to step down.

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

On the other hand, selecting a staunch conservative would infuriate the left bloc. Given the pressing need to achieve a minimum of consensus to at least pass a budget for this year, some analysts have suggested he may try to turn to an independent expert.

Second, he may dissolve parliament and initiate new elections, a move he has consistently said he is reluctant to do and surveys indicate would probably return another divided parliament – or bring nationalists to power.

The last choice is stepping down, 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.