France’s new Prime Minister, Sebastien Lecornu, has resigned just weeks after his appointment, plunging the country into fresh political chaos.
Lecornu, France’s fifth prime minister in less than two years, faced the difficult task of uniting a fractured parliament to pass the 2026 budget and restore investor confidence.
He was appointed in early September amid widespread unrest and public dissatisfaction following a series of failed governments that struggled to implement budgets outlining spending cuts and tax increases.
A former defence minister and longtime ally of President Emmanuel Macron, Lecornu resigned just hours after announcing his new cabinet on Sunday. The cabinet, which retained most high-profile ministers, had been expected to hold its first meeting on Monday.
His resignation now adds to growing pressure on Macron, who has overseen three failed minority governments and faces increasing political instability.
Lecornu had been scheduled to present his government’s roadmap before the National Assembly on Tuesday. His resignation came as political parties across the spectrum, investors, and the European Commission in Brussels closely monitored France’s economic outlook.
Lecornu was expected to address how his government planned to reduce France’s 2024 budget deficit, which stands at 5.8%, and tackle a public debt equivalent to 113% of GDP, both far exceeding EU limits that cap deficits at 3% and debt at 60% of GDP.
Faridah Abdulkadiri
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