French Prime Minister Sebastien Lecornu resigned on Monday, just hours after unveiling his new cabinet, less than a month after assuming office on September 9, 2025.
The resignation comes amid mounting political pressure, with both allies and opponents signaling they would challenge his government. Lecornu, a close confidant of President Emmanuel Macron, had appointed his ministers on Sunday, and the cabinet was scheduled for its first meeting on Monday afternoon.
However, the lineup sparked controversy, with critics arguing it leaned either too far to the right or not enough, raising doubts about the government’s stability. France remains in the grip of a political crisis, with a fragmented parliament and no single party holding a majority.
Lecornu formally submitted his resignation to Macron in the morning. An official statement read:
“Mr Sebastien Lecornu has submitted the resignation of his Government to the President of the Republic, who has accepted it.”
Lecornu is Macron’s fifth prime minister in two years, taking office at a time when France faces significant economic challenges. He was tasked with securing parliamentary approval for an austerity budget for the upcoming year, following the ousting of his two immediate predecessors, Francois Bayrou and Michel Barnier, over disagreements on spending plans.
France’s public debt has recently hit record levels, with its debt-to-GDP ratio ranking third highest in the EU, trailing only Greece and Italy, and nearly double the 60% ceiling set by EU rules. Previous governments bypassed parliamentary votes for the last three annual budgets, using constitutional provisions that drew strong opposition criticism. Lecornu had promised that lawmakers would be able to vote on the budget bill, signaling a break from past practices.
The political deadlock stems from Macron’s gamble on snap parliamentary elections last year, intended to strengthen his mandate. The move backfired, leaving his supportive bloc in the assembly in a minority, and now Lecornu’s short-lived premiership highlights the ongoing instability facing the French government.
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