French Prime Minister Lecornu Resigns Amid Political Deadlock

French Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu has resigned after just 26 days in office, marking the third resignation of a French prime minister in less than a year. Lecornu's departure follows his inability to form a stable government amid a deeply divided parliament.

The political crisis began in June 2024 when President Emmanuel Macron dissolved the National Assembly and called for snap elections. The subsequent election resulted in a hung parliament, split among the left-wing New Popular Front (NFP), Macron's centrist Ensemble alliance, and the far-right National Rally (RN), with none securing a majority.

Lecornu's resignation came shortly after he unveiled his cabinet, which faced immediate criticism from various parliamentary factions. Opposition leaders, including Marine Le Pen of the RN and Jean-Luc Mélenchon of France Unbowed (LFI), have called for Macron's resignation and new elections.

The ongoing political instability has had economic repercussions, with France's economic growth slowing to an expected 0.7% in 2025, down from an earlier forecast of 1%. This downturn is attributed to weakened consumer and business confidence amid fears of tax hikes and reduced public support.

As Lecornu steps down, President Macron faces mounting pressure to resolve the deadlock, with options including appointing a new prime minister, calling for fresh elections, or seeking a coalition government. The situation remains fluid as political leaders continue negotiations to stabilize the government.