French Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu resigned on Monday October 6, 2025, less than 24 hours after naming his new government, worsening an already deepening political crisis in France.
The resignation was accepted by President Emmanuel Macron. Lecornu, who replaced François Bayrou as Prime Minister just weeks earlier, blamed “political egos” and excessive opposition for preventing compromise. His short-lived government came under fire for controversial appointments, including moving former Finance Minister Bruno Le Maire to the Defense Ministry.
Opposition groups quickly seized on the development. The far-right National Rally, led by Marine Le Pen, demanded snap elections or Macron’s resignation. On the left, parties like France Unbowed echoed calls for more radical political change.
Economically, the resignation sent shockwaves through markets. The CAC-40 index dropped nearly 2% following the announcement. Analysts warned that France’s massive public debt — over €3.3 trillion and more than 114% of GDP — could become harder to manage under political instability.
Lecornu had vowed to avoid using extraordinary constitutional powers to push legislation without full parliamentary votes, emphasizing compromise over force. But that approach, critics argue, may have undermined his viability in a legislature fragmented between far right, far left, and centrist factions.
