Why France's PM Stepped Down Following Only 27 Days – and What Could Happen Next

France's prime minister, the country's leader, stepped down together with the cabinet, under a month following taking office and just moments of the new cabinet being announced, dramatically deepening the country's governmental turmoil.

This marks another surprising turn following recent incidents that suggest the nation, Europe's second-largest economy, faces growing governance challenges. Let's examine what just happened, the causes and what might come next.

What Just Happened?

Lecornu, who was appointed 27 days ago, submitted his departure and that of his government on Monday, barely 12 hours after the key members of his cabinet had been announced. This made him the briefest-serving PM since the Fifth Republic began.

Aged 39, former defence minister, aligned with the president, served as the fifth PM since the president’s re-election in 2022 and the third post-parliament dissolution and called early legislative elections that were held last summer.

Lecornu blamed political rigidity, saying he had been “willing to negotiate, but every party wanted every other party to adopt its full programme.” It would “would require little to succeed,” however “partisan attitudes” along with “personal ambitions” stood in the way, he said.

His departure spooked investors, with the CAC 40 stock index dropping 2% and the euro declined 0.7%. France’s debt-to-GDP ratio is the EU’s third-highest behind Greece and Italy, almost twice the 60% permitted under EU rules – similar to the nearly 6% deficit forecast.

Underlying Causes

Origins of the turmoil stem from last year's sudden polls, which produced a hung parliament split among three more or less equal blocs: left-wing groups, nationalist right & Macron’s own centre-right alliance, none nearing a majority.

The economic downturn worsened the uncertainty, along with presidential elections due in 2027. Macron cannot stand again, and with each party keen to stake out its ground before the vote, common ground in parliament is increasingly elusive.

Lecornu faced a difficult task of passing an austerity budget through the divided assembly targeting reduction of the yawning budget deficit – a task that defeated his two immediate predecessors, removed by lawmakers for similar efforts.

The final catalyst leading to his exit appears to have been response from conservative parties to the new cabinet. The party said the similar composition failed to represent the “profound break” with past politics he had pledged.

But announcement of the main cabinet posts last Sunday drew strong objections from all sides, with allies and opponents denouncing it as either too rightwing or not rightwing enough, and endangering its stability.

Reappointing Bruno Le Maire, Macron’s economy minister for seven years, as defense head particularly enraged politicians from most parties, viewing it as proof that Macron’s pro-business economic policies 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 hold fresh elections, as leftist groups has reiterated longstanding calls for Macron's resignation.

Macron has three main options, each risky and uninviting. Initially, he could name a new prime minister. Someone from his circle seems improbable, while even a moderate leftwinger could undermine his pension changes.

On the other hand, appointing a confirmed rightwinger would infuriate the left bloc. Due to urgent requirements to secure some agreement to at least pass a budget for this year, experts propose he might consider an independent expert.

Second, he could dissolve the national assembly and call fresh legislative elections, a move he has consistently said he is reluctant to do and surveys indicate would probably return another divided parliament – or bring nationalists to power.

His final option is stepping down, however, he has refused to leave before the presidential election in 2027 – an election viewed as pivotal for France, as Le Pen eyes a potential victory.