French Political Crisis and Resignation of Sébastien Lecornu Government, 2025

France is experiencing its gravest political turmoil since the founding of the Fifth Republic in 1958. The nation is beset by parliamentary fragmentation, recurrent government collapses, and growing economic stress. The crisis reached an unprecedented level on 6 October 2025, when Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu resigned less than a day after presenting his cabinet. His resignation—marking a record-short tenure of only 27 days—has intensified calls for President Emmanuel Macron to step down, dissolve the National Assembly, or face impeachment. The crisis stems from a hung parliament produced by the June–July 2024 snap elections, which failed to deliver a working majority to any political bloc, leaving France mired in legislative paralysis.

Background to the Political Crisis

The roots of the 2025 political crisis lie in a series of electoral gambles and legislative confrontations that weakened the authority of the presidency and destabilised the French executive.

The 2024 Snap Elections

On 9 June 2024, following heavy losses in the European elections, President Macron dissolved the National Assembly in a bid to reinforce his centrist Ensemble alliance. The strategy backfired spectacularly. The election produced one of the most fragmented Assemblies in modern history, distributing seats as follows:

• New Popular Front (NFP), a left-wing coalition led by La France Insoumise (LFI): approximately 182 seats
• Ensemble (centrist coalition): approximately 168 seats
• National Rally (RN), far-right: approximately 143 seats
• Les Républicains (LR), traditional right: approximately 50 seats
• Other minor parties and independents held the balance of power

With no bloc reaching the 289-seat majority threshold, Macron was forced to rely on shifting alliances, fragile confidence votes, and technocratic manoeuvres to govern.

Governmental Turnover Since 2022

The succession of prime ministers under Macron has underscored the volatility of French politics since his re-election.

• Élisabeth Borne (2022–2024): Resigned following public unrest and parliamentary revolt over controversial pension reforms.
• Gabriel Attal (2024): Lost a confidence vote over the annual budget, leading to an early dissolution.
• Michel Barnier (Late 2024): Dismissed after his austerity budget was rejected in December.
• François Bayrou (January–September 2025): Forced to resign amid a worsening deficit crisis and failed €44 billion spending cuts.
• Sébastien Lecornu (September–October 2025): Resigned after failing to unite the fractured legislature or secure a coalition majority.

This cycle of political instability has been compounded by economic deterioration and widespread public disillusionment with Macron’s leadership.

Economic Context and Fiscal Pressures

By early 2025, France’s public debt had surged to €3.346 trillion, representing 114% of GDP—well above EU fiscal limits. The 2025 budget, which required €6 billion in cuts while maintaining high spending on pensions and healthcare, became a flashpoint between the executive and the legislature.
President Macron’s refusal to reinstate wealth taxes or expand corporate taxation, combined with his insistence on “fiscal justice,” alienated both the left and right. Credit rating agencies, notably Fitch, downgraded France’s credit outlook, while Moody’s signalled the risk of further deterioration. The resulting fiscal tensions undermined market confidence and added pressure on the government to stabilise.

The Lecornu Resignation and Its Immediate Triggers

Cabinet Formation and Political Backlash

Sébastien Lecornu, aged 39 and previously Defence Minister, was appointed on 9 September 2025 as a “technocratic” compromise candidate tasked with forming a cross-party “common base” government. He vowed not to invoke Article 49.3—the constitutional clause allowing forced legislation—and pledged to reduce spending without raising taxes.
However, his proposed cabinet, announced on 5 October 2025, reignited partisan conflict. Key appointments included:

• Gérald Darmanin as Justice Minister
• Rachida Dati as Culture Minister
• Élisabeth Borne retained in government
• Bruno Le Maire moved from Finance to Defence
• Roland Lescure promoted to Economy Minister

The Les Républicains party secured only four portfolios, leading its leader Bruno Retailleau to condemn the cabinet as a “continuation of Macronism.” The backlash from both opposition and coalition ranks rendered Lecornu’s government politically untenable even before its first parliamentary session.

Collapse and Aftermath

On the morning of 6 October 2025, Lecornu resigned at the Hôtel Matignon, citing “partisan appetites and failed compromises.” His brief statement called for “humility and unity” to ensure budget passage. President Macron, in an unusually subdued response, accepted the resignation privately and instructed ministers to continue in a caretaker capacity.

Parliamentary Fallout and Reactions

Opposition Movements

The resignation provoked an immediate wave of political manoeuvring:

• Jean-Luc Mélenchon (LFI) filed a motion of impeachment, backed by 104 MPs, accusing Macron of undermining democratic governance.
• Marine Le Pen (RN) and Jordan Bardella demanded new elections, claiming the government had lost all legitimacy.
• Olivier Faure (PS) urged the appointment of a left-leaning prime minister and praised Lecornu’s resignation as an “act of dignity.”
• Bruno Retailleau reaffirmed LR’s refusal to cooperate, while David Lisnard threatened to leave the party, denouncing “Macronist taxes.”

Within Macron’s own Ensemble coalition, divisions widened as moderates lamented the “spectacle of paralysis.”

Public and Media Sentiment

Social media platforms were inundated with derision, the hashtag #MacronDémission trending nationwide. Polls conducted by major French outlets indicated that over 70% of citizens favoured a new general election. Commentators compared the situation to the 1969 de Gaulle crisis, when political exhaustion triggered constitutional reform and resignation.

Institutional and Economic Implications

Legislative Paralysis

With the government reduced to caretaker status, France faces a constitutional impasse. No significant legislation can be passed, and failure to approve the 2025 budget by 20 December could result in the automatic reapplication of the 2024 budget—potentially triggering EU fiscal penalties.
The National Assembly’s bureau has begun examining impeachment procedures, but success would require the support of at least 10% of MPs and subsequent approval by the Senate, making the outcome uncertain.

Macron’s Strategic Options

President Macron’s constitutional choices are limited:

1. Appoint a new technocratic prime minister—such as Jean-Louis Borloo or a Socialist figure—risking prolonged instability.
2. Dissolve the National Assembly, though this can only occur one year after the 2024 elections, exposing centrists to potential electoral collapse.
3. Resign voluntarily, which appears highly improbable given his term runs until 2027.
4. Hold a referendum, possibly on proportional representation, to restore legitimacy and restructure party dynamics.

Each option carries significant political and economic risk, particularly amid growing voter polarisation.

Financial Market Repercussions

The economic response has been swift and negative. On 6 October, the CAC 40 index fell by more than 2%, while the euro slipped to $1.1667, and the 10-year French bond yield reached 3.57%, widening the spread with German Bunds. The debt burden—averaging €50,000 per citizen—has renewed public anger over government austerity measures.
Labour unrest has also intensified, with symbolic closures such as the Eiffel Tower strike, reflecting mounting frustration with political stagnation and economic inequality.

International Reactions

France’s European partners have expressed growing concern. Germany has emphasised the need for “a stable France” as the European Union grapples with economic and geopolitical challenges. The IMF and European Commission are closely monitoring France’s deficit trajectory, fearing contagion within the eurozone.
Despite the tension, no major financial panic has occurred, though analysts have drawn parallels with past constitutional crises that reshaped French political life.

Outlook and Possible Scenarios

The crisis illustrates France’s “three-bloc deadlock” between the far left, far right, and centrist establishment, each prioritising electoral positioning for the 2027 presidential race over immediate governance. Current projections suggest the following potential developments:

• Censure or impeachment passes (medium likelihood): Would lead to an interim administration and almost certainly force a new dissolution.
• Snap elections (high likelihood): Could occur by November 2025, with both RN and NFP poised to gain seats but unlikely to command a majority.
• New coalition government (low likelihood): Discussions between PS and LR continue but face ideological obstacles.
• Macron resignation (very low likelihood): Would precipitate an early presidential contest and constitutional uncertainty.

As of October 2025, Macron’s approval rating remains around 25%, underscoring the erosion of public confidence. Unless a broad coalition or constitutional reform emerges, France faces prolonged paralysis, testing the resilience of the Fifth Republic and its capacity to adapt to twenty-first-century political fragmentation.