French Political Crisis: PM Lecornu Resigns After Cabinet Collapse, Macron Grants 48-Hour Reprieve

France is grappling with a deepening political crisis following the dramatic resignation of Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu, barely three and a half weeks into his tenure. President Emmanuel Macron has granted Lecornu a last-minute 48-hour reprieve to salvage a deal, as the nation’s political landscape remains highly fluid.

The immediate cause of the government’s collapse was the swift withdrawal of the conservative Republicans (LR) party from Lecornu’s proposed cabinet. After naming his cabinet late Sunday afternoon, Lecornu saw it disintegrate by Monday morning, preventing him from even delivering his inaugural address to parliament.

The contentious point centered on the proposed appointment of former finance minister Bruno Le Maire as defence minister. LR leader Bruno Retailleau, who had initially signaled his party’s willingness to participate, reportedly learned of Le Maire’s nomination via television. Le Maire, a former LR member who defected to Macron’s camp, is a significant point of contention for the conservatives, who also blame him for the spiraling national debt.

In a late development on Monday, Le Maire agreed to step aside from a ministerial role, prompting Macron’s decision to give Lecornu a brief window to persuade LR to join the government.

This latest turmoil underscores the increasing difficulty for President Macron to form a stable government. As France inches closer to the 2027 presidential election, Macron’s declining popularity is causing former allies and key parties, including the LR, to distance themselves, signaling a potential twilight for his political era.

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