In a shocking turn of events, French Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu has resigned just hours after unveiling his new cabinet, marking one of the shortest premierships in recent French history. The resignation was accepted by President Emmanuel Macron and announced on October 6, 2025, plunging France deeper into political uncertainty.

Reasons for Resignation

Lecornu, appointed less than a month ago amid growing political instability, struggled to secure parliamentary support due to a fragmented National Assembly where no party holds a clear majority. His cabinet, which closely resembled that of his predecessor François Bayrou, faced immediate backlash from both left- and right-wing factions. Critics accused Lecornu of failing to bring genuine change and criticized the heavy presence of Macron loyalists.

Despite his efforts to negotiate with various political groups and propose a budget, Lecornu confessed that deep divisions in the parliament made it impossible to form a stable government. His resignation reflects the mounting challenges Macron faces as the president tries to govern with a minority and increasingly polarized parliament following the snap elections of 2024.

Political Fallout and Next Steps

The far-right National Rally party swiftly called for fresh elections and Macron’s resignation, while opposition leaders criticized the pro-business agenda and austerity efforts attributed to Macron's coalition. National Rally leader Jordan Bardella described the cabinet as "pathetic" and stressed the need to return to the polls for stability.

Macron remains president until 2027 but must now consider options including calling for new parliamentary elections or trying to form another government amid ongoing political fragmentation.

Sébastien Lecornu's brief tenure underscores the intense divisions in French politics and the difficulty of governing without a parliamentary majority in an era of rising populism and partisan conflict.