French Prime Minister Resigns After Less Than a Month in Office

PARIS — France’s new Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu resigned on Monday, less than 24 hours after announcing his government and just weeks into his term. His resignation has intensified a political crisis in France, as he struggled to gain support in a fragmented parliament.

President Emmanuel Macron accepted Lecornu’s resignation, making him the fourth prime minister in less than a year. Lecornu cited a lack of consensus as a primary reason for his departure. “It would take little for it to work,” he said during his resignation speech, emphasizing the need for political humility.

Political opponents quickly responded. Marine Le Pen, leader of the far-right National Rally, called for new elections, stating, “We have reached the end of the road.” On the other side, the far-left party, France Unbowed, also demanded Macron’s resignation.

The sudden change rattled investors, leading to a nearly 2% drop in the CAC-40 index of France’s leading companies. Lecornu’s short-lived government faced criticism over its cabinet appointments, particularly the controversial return of former Finance Minister Bruno Le Maire, who many blame for the nation’s rising deficit under his watch.

In the days leading up to his resignation, Lecornu consulted various political factions in an attempt to build a unified government, but he faced resistance from all sides. “Each political party wanted the other to adopt its entire program,” he said, underscoring the difficulty of securing a collaborative environment.

Amid the political turmoil, Macron has tasked Lecornu with holding urgent discussions with other parties to seek a path forward, raising questions about the stability of the current government. Macron’s options now include appointing a new prime minister, once again dissolving the National Assembly, or opting for fresh elections.

As France navigates this chaotic political landscape, the future remains uncertain. Lecornu’s resignation reflects ongoing divisions and a lack of cohesion in the government, leaving many to question how the country will address its pressing economic issues.