Lecornu, who had been named prime minister only recently by President Emmanuel Macron, announced his government’s composition earlier in the day, aiming to project stability and unity. However, mounting opposition from across the political spectrum swiftly undermined his position. Both allies and rivals threatened to bring down the fledgling government, leaving Lecornu little room to maneuver.
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Facing imminent defeat, he tendered his resignation alongside his ministers within hours of assuming office.
The fallout was immediate. The far-right National Rally (RN), emboldened by recent electoral gains, demanded that Macron dissolve parliament and call snap legislative elections, arguing that the government had lost all legitimacy.
Meanwhile, the hard-left France Unbowed (LFI) went even further, declaring that Macron himself should step down, accusing him of plunging the nation into an unprecedented constitutional and economic crisis.
Political analysts described the resignation as a major blow to Macron’s already fragile centrist administration, which has struggled to maintain authority since losing its parliamentary majority in 2022.
The latest collapse leaves France without a functioning government at a time of heightened social unrest, inflationary pressures, and growing voter polarization.
Financial markets reacted swiftly to the turmoil. The CAC 40 index fell significantly, and the euro weakened against major currencies, reflecting investor concerns about policy paralysis in one of Europe’s largest economies.
Economists warned that prolonged political uncertainty could further dampen business confidence and hinder France’s economic recovery.
President Macron has yet to announce his next steps, but sources close to the Élysée Palace suggest he is weighing limited options, either forming a caretaker government or calling early elections to break the deadlock.
With opposition parties sensing opportunity and public frustration mounting, Macron faces one of the most serious challenges of his presidency.
The abrupt resignation of Sébastien Lecornu’s government marks a dramatic escalation in France’s political crisis, one that could reshape the nation’s power dynamics and test the resilience of the Fifth Republic.