France’s political crisis deepened sharply on Monday as Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu resigned, less than 24 hours after unveiling his new cabinet. The shock move, confirmed by the Élysée Palace following a meeting with President Emmanuel Macron, marks the fifth change of premier in less than two years.
Mr. Lecornu’s departure was triggered by fierce backlash from opposition parties in the National Assembly, who immediately threatened to vote down his cabinet. The government had faced immediate resistance because the cabinet line-up was largely a continuation of that led by the previous Prime Minister, François Bayrou.
Political stability has collapsed in Paris since snap elections in July 2024 resulted in a hung parliament. The crisis has severe economic undertones: the previous government fell when parliament rejected its €44 billion austerity budget, intended to combat France’s soaring national debt, which stands at 114% of GDP.
The opposition was swift to demand action, with the far-right National Rally calling for President Macron to dissolve parliament or resign. Stocks on the Paris exchange fell sharply as the news broke, reflecting growing economic uncertainty.
Add Comment