Why the French Prime Minister Resigned Following Just 27 Days – & Potential Happen Next

The French prime minister, the country's leader, has resigned together with his government, under a month following his appointment and just hours after unveiling his ministers, dramatically deepening the country's governmental turmoil.

This marks the latest shock development following recent incidents indicating that France, Europe's second-largest economy, is becoming increasingly ungovernable. Let's examine what just happened, the causes and future possibilities.

What Just Happened?

Lecornu, who was appointed 27 days ago, submitted his departure along with the entire cabinet on Monday, only half a day after the key members of his cabinet had been announced. This made him the briefest-serving PM since the Fifth Republic began.

The 39-year-old, ex-defense chief, aligned with the president, served as the fifth PM since the president’s re-election in 2022 and the third post-parliament dissolution triggering snap polls that were held last summer.

He attributed the resignation to party-political intransigence, stating he was “ready to compromise, yet all factions demanded every other party to adopt its full programme.” He noted it “would require little to succeed,” however “partisan attitudes” along with “personal ambitions” stood in the way, he said.

The resignation alarmed markets, with the CAC 40 stock index dropping 2% and the euro declined 0.7%. France’s debt-to-GDP ratio ranks third in the EU behind Greece and Italy, nearly double the EU's 60% limit – similar to the nearly 6% deficit forecast.

Underlying Causes

Origins of the turmoil lie in last year's sudden polls, which produced a split assembly divided between three more or less equal blocs: the left, nationalist right & the president's centrist coalition, none nearing a majority.

France’s financial crisis worsened the uncertainty, along with the 2027 presidential race. The president is term-limited, as parties position themselves ahead of elections, common ground in parliament has become even harder to find.

He encountered the tough job to approve spending cuts through the divided assembly aimed at reining in the yawning budget deficit – a task that defeated the previous two PMs, removed by lawmakers for similar efforts.

The final catalyst for his resignation seems to be response from conservative parties regarding the ministerial team. The party said the largely unchanged lineup did not reflect the “profound break” from previous approaches that Lecornu had promised.

Revealing key ministries on Sunday evening drew strong objections from all sides, as supporters and critics condemned it for being too conservative or insufficiently so, and endangering its stability.

Reappointing Bruno Le Maire, Macron’s economy minister for seven years, as defense head particularly enraged politicians from most parties, viewing it as proof that Macron’s pro-business economic policies were not up for discussion.

What Might Happen Now?

Nationalist parties of Marine Le Pen and Jordan Bardella has called on Macron to disband the assembly and hold fresh elections, 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 seems improbable, and a centrist left candidate could undermine his pension changes.

On the other hand, appointing a confirmed rightwinger would anger left-wing parties. Given the pressing need to achieve a minimum of consensus to at least pass a budget for this year, experts propose he might consider a non-party political technocrat.

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

The last choice is stepping down, but again, 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.