The Reasons Behind the French PM Stepped Down Following Just 27 Days – and What Could Follow

The French PM, the country's leader, has resigned along with the cabinet, under 30 days following taking office and just moments after unveiling his ministers, dramatically deepening France's governmental turmoil.

This marks another surprising turn following recent incidents indicating that France, Europe's second-largest economy, faces growing governance challenges. Here is a look at what just happened, the causes and future possibilities.

What Just Happened?

The prime minister, who was appointed 27 days ago, submitted his departure and that of his government this week, barely 12 hours following the ministerial lineup reveal. He became the shortest-lived prime minister since the Fifth Republic began.

The 39-year-old, former defence minister, aligned with the president, served as the fifth PM after Macron's second term and third leader since Macron dissolved parliament triggering snap polls that were held last summer.

He attributed the resignation to political rigidity, stating he was “willing to negotiate, but every party wanted every other party to adopt its full programme.” It would “not take much for it to work,” however “ideological stubbornness” and “personal ambitions” stood in the way, according to him.

His departure 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 after Greece and Italy, nearly double the EU's 60% limit – similar to the nearly 6% deficit forecast.

Underlying Causes

Origins of the turmoil stem from last year's sudden polls, that resulted in a hung parliament split among three more or less equal blocs: left-wing groups, the far right & Macron’s own centre-right alliance, with no group coming close to a clear majority.

France’s financial crisis has only added to that instability, as have presidential elections due in 2027. Macron cannot stand again, and with each party keen to stake out its ground ahead of elections, common ground in parliament has become even harder to find.

Lecornu faced the tough job of passing an austerity budget in a fractured parliament aimed at reining in the large fiscal gap – a task that defeated the previous two PMs, removed by lawmakers for similar efforts.

The immediate trigger for his resignation seems to be the reaction of the centre-right Les Républicains regarding the ministerial team. The party said the similar composition failed to represent the “profound break” from previous approaches he had pledged.

Revealing key ministries on Sunday evening prompted fierce criticism from across the political spectrum, as supporters and critics condemned it for being too conservative or insufficiently so, and endangering its stability.

Reappointing Bruno Le Maire, long-time finance chief, as defense head particularly enraged politicians from most parties, who saw it as a confirmation that Macron’s pro-business economic policies were not up for discussion.

What Might Happen Now?

Nationalist parties led by Le Pen and Bardella has called on Macron to disband the assembly and hold fresh elections, as leftist groups has reiterated longstanding calls for Macron's resignation.

The president faces three choices, each risky and none very appealing. Initially, he could name a new prime minister. A figure from within his own camp seems improbable, and a centrist left candidate could undermine his pension changes.

On the other hand, selecting a staunch conservative would infuriate the left bloc. Due to urgent requirements to achieve a minimum of consensus to at least pass a budget for this year, experts propose he may try to turn to a non-party political technocrat.

Next, he could dissolve the national assembly and initiate new elections, an option he has resisted and surveys indicate would probably return another divided parliament – or potentially usher in an RN government.

The last choice would be to resign, but again, he has refused to leave before the presidential election in 2027 – a vote seen as a historic crossroads in French politics, as Le Pen eyes a potential victory.