France’s Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu has resigned just hours after presenting his government, plunging the country into its gravest political crisis in decades.
The resignation, which President Emmanuel Macron accepted on Monday, comes only a day after Lecornu revealed his ministerial team.
His government, unveiled on Sunday evening, lasted just about 12 hours.
Lecornu, appointed on 9 September, faced fierce criticism from opposition parties and factions within his coalition.
He was set to present his policy agenda to the National Assembly on Tuesday, outlining key budgetary priorities.
This unexpected exit makes Lecornu the shortest-serving prime minister in France’s Fifth Republic, a distinction likely to fuel political turmoil.
Calls for a new parliamentary dissolution or even Macron’s resignation are already gaining momentum.
Since Macron's re-election in May 2022, the country has seen five prime ministers come and go, underscoring the fragility of his government.
France's President Emmanuel Macron. Credit: AFP
Lecornu’s appointment had drawn sharp opposition from the left and the far-right National Rally. Both blocs threatened to push for a swift vote of no confidence, criticising his lack of a clear policy shift.
Internal unrest within Macron's coalition added to Lecornu’s troubles. The Republicans, a key ally, demanded guarantees on immigration policy as well as a third of all cabinet positions in exchange for their support.
The final spark came with Lecornu’s cabinet announcement on Sunday.
Featuring several reappointments and the controversial return of Bruno Le Maire as finance minister, the line-up drew widespread criticism for failing to address public frustrations over economic management.
This pressure ultimately led Lecornu to step down on Monday morning.
Lecornu attacks other parties
"The conditions for remaining Prime Minister were no longer met," Sébastien Lecornu said on Monday after submitting his resignation.
"Political parties continue to behave as if they all have an absolute majority," he told reporters.
"The composition of the government has led to the awakening of some party political ambitions, especially with a view to the presidential elections," the outgoing prime minister declared on the steps of his official residence, Hôtel de Matignon.
Lecornu also said that his earlier decision not to invoke Article 49.3 of the Constitution, thereby giving parliament back control, "did not lead to the realisation that there could be another way".
Article 49.3 of the constitution, which allows a text to be adopted without a vote, has been used since Emmanuel Macron's re-election in 2022 to approve all budgets.
Lecornu did not want to do that. He was due to deliver his general policy statement to the National Assembly on Tuesday.
