Lecornú resigned and became the shortest-serving prime minister of the Fifth Republic. The president was struck down by criticism
Since 2024, the country has faced a deficit of 5.8% of GDP and a public debt equivalent to 114%, one of the highest in the eurozone. The lack of a stable government raises fears that fiscal reforms and spending reduction targets will slow down, worsening pressures on markets and the euro.
French Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu submitted his resignation on Monday, just 26 days after taking office, amid a political crisis that exposes the deep exhaustion of Emmanuel Macron's government and the growing prominence of Marine Le Pen as an alternative.
Lecornu announced his resignation after meeting with Macron for an hour at the Élysée Palace. “The conditions were not in place to continue as prime minister,” he declared upon leaving, pointing to the lack of willingness among parties to reach consensus.
In a brief statement in front of the Hôtel de Matignon, the seat of government, Lecornu lamented the “partisan appetites” and criticized the political forces that “act as if they had an absolute majority.”
Lecornu's fall, who had been the fifth prime minister in less than two years, leaves Macron with no room for maneuver and confirms the breakdown of the Fifth Republic.
President Emmanuel Macron accepted Lecornu's resignation without yet appointing a successor, now leaving it under his sole responsibility to define the country's direction. With the departure of the “last political resort” available to the president, France plunges into a new stage of uncertainty. The head of state faces three possible paths: appoint another prime minister, dissolve the National Assembly and call elections, or submit his own resignation, although he doesn't seem to be considering the latter option.
Markets reacted strongly to Lecornu's resignation. The Paris Stock Exchange opened the day with a drop of more than 2%, dragging down major banking and energy sector stocks, and reflecting fears of a prolonged institutional crisis.
For many analysts, Lecornu's resignation not only marks the political failure of Macronism, but also a loss of France's economic credibility within the European Union.
From the opposition, National Rally leader Marine Le Pen was blunt: “The only sensible thing now is to call elections.” She added: “The joke is over. The French are fed up. Macron has put the country in an extremely difficult situation.”
Le Pen's profile is rising while Macronism collapses. In less than three years, France has had five prime ministers and a legislative paralysis that prevents even the most basic budgets from being approved. The nationalist leader, who leads all voting intention polls, positions herself as the only alternative of order, authority, and common sense in the face of the chaos of French progressivism.
Meanwhile, as Paris sinks into paralysis, Le Pen emerges as the figure capable of restoring order and sovereignty in France. Lecornu's fall symbolizes the end of the progressive narrative that promised stability and a “republic on the move,” but only left crisis, debt, and loss of leadership.
