France’s President Emmanuel Macron on Monday accepted the resignation of Prime Minister Sebastien Lecornu, just hours after unveiling his cabinet, plunging the country deeper into political uncertainty.
Lecornu, who previously served as defence minister, was appointed prime minister last month. However, the cabinet he revealed late on Sunday, largely unchanged from previous administrations, drew widespread criticism from across the political spectrum.
The outgoing prime minister faced the uphill task of securing parliamentary approval for a tough austerity budget for 2026, amid growing divisions in France’s legislature. His two predecessors, Francois Bayrou and Michel Barnier, were both forced out after clashes with lawmakers over spending plans.
France’s financial situation has become increasingly precarious, with official data showing the nation’s public debt reaching a record high. Its debt-to-GDP ratio now ranks as the third highest in the European Union, behind only Greece and Italy, and stands at nearly double the 60 percent ceiling permitted under EU fiscal rules.
While previous governments bypassed parliament to push through annual budgets, a move allowed under the constitution but heavily criticised by the opposition, Lecornu had pledged to restore democratic legitimacy by allowing lawmakers to vote on the 2026 budget.
France’s political deadlock traces back to Macron’s failed gamble on snap parliamentary elections last year, which left his centrist bloc in the National Assembly without a majority.
With Lecornu’s resignation, Macron now faces mounting pressure to find a successor capable of navigating France through its deepening fiscal and political challenges.
What you should know
Sebastien Lecornu, 38, was one of Emmanuel Macron’s closest allies and among the youngest figures to serve as prime minister.
His resignation marks the third major shake-up in Macron’s government within a year, highlighting the president’s struggle to maintain control over a fragmented parliament and a restless political landscape.
