The Reasons Behind France's PM Stepped Down Following Just 27 Days – and Potential Happen Next

The French PM, Sébastien Lecornu, stepped down along with his government, less than 30 days after taking office and just moments after unveiling his ministers, dramatically deepening the country's political crisis.

It is the latest shock development in a series of events indicating that the nation, Europe's second-largest economy, faces growing governance challenges. Here is a look at what just happened, why – 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, only half a day after the key members of his cabinet had been announced. 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.

Lecornu blamed political rigidity, stating he was “ready to compromise, yet all factions demanded others accept their entire agenda.” He noted it “not take much for it to work,” however “partisan attitudes” along with “personal ambitions” stood in the way, he said.

His departure alarmed markets, as the CAC 40 fell 2% and the euro, 0.7%. France’s debt-to-GDP ratio is the EU’s third-highest behind Greece and Italy, nearly double the 60% permitted under EU rules – as is its projected budget deficit of nearly 6%.

Why Did It Happen?

Origins of the turmoil stem from that 2024 snap general election, that resulted in a split assembly split among three nearly equal factions: the left, the far right & the president's centrist coalition, none nearing a majority.

The economic downturn worsened the uncertainty, along with the 2027 presidential race. The president is term-limited, and with each party keen to stake out its ground ahead of elections, common ground in parliament has become even harder to find.

He encountered a difficult task to approve spending cuts in a fractured parliament targeting reduction of the large fiscal gap – a challenge that ousted his two immediate predecessors, removed by lawmakers for similar efforts.

The final catalyst leading to his exit appears to have been the reaction of the centre-right Les Républicains regarding the ministerial team. The party said the largely unchanged lineup did not reflect a significant shift with past politics that Lecornu had promised.

Revealing key ministries on Sunday evening drew strong objections from across the political spectrum, with allies and opponents denouncing it for being too conservative or insufficiently so, and threatening to topple the new government.

Reappointing Bruno Le Maire, long-time finance chief, to government as defence minister angered many lawmakers across factions, who saw it as a confirmation that his economic agenda was non-negotiable.

What Might Happen Now?

The far-right National Rally led by Le Pen and Bardella has called on Macron to disband the assembly and call new votes, as leftist groups has reiterated longstanding calls for the president himself to step down.

The president faces three choices, all hazardous and uninviting. First, he might appoint another PM. A figure from within his own camp now appears unlikely, and a centrist left candidate could undermine his pension changes.

Alternatively, appointing a confirmed rightwinger would anger left-wing parties. Given the pressing need to secure some agreement to at least pass a budget for this year, experts propose he may try to turn to an independent expert.

Next, he could dissolve the national assembly 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 potentially usher in an RN government.

His final option is stepping down, however, he has repeatedly ruled out standing aside before the presidential election in 2027 – a vote seen as a historic crossroads for France, as Le Pen eyes a potential victory.