Macron Faces Mounting Pressure as French Political Crisis Deepens Amid PM’s Resignation
Macron Faces Mounting Pressure as French Political Crisis Deepens Amid PM’s Resignation
French President Emmanuel Macron is grappling with an escalating political crisis as his government faces increasing pressure, highlighted by the recent resignation of Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu after just 26 days in office. This marks the third prime ministerial departure in a year, intensifying calls for Macron himself to step down, with opinion polls indicating nearly three-quarters of voters believe he should resign.
Lecornu initially tendered his resignation on Monday amidst a day of political turmoil but agreed to stay on for an additional 48 hours to conduct last-ditch talks with political parties aimed at stabilizing the country. The crisis stems from a snap parliamentary election in June 2024, which resulted in a hung parliament and Macron’s centrist alliance losing its majority, forcing a scramble for alliances.
At the heart of the ongoing instability is France’s crippling national debt, which stands at €3,345 billion, or almost 114% of GDP. Previous attempts by prime ministers to tackle the deficit with austerity budgets have led to their ousting, and Lecornu failed to even present a budget plan before his position became untenable. Political factions, eyeing the 2027 presidential elections and the possibility of further snap parliamentary elections, have shown little willingness to compromise.
Key political figures, including Marine Le Pen of the far-right National Rally and Jean-Luc Mélenchon of the radical left France Unbowed, have seized on the crisis, with Le Pen’s party poised to benefit significantly from any new elections. As the Wednesday evening deadline for Lecornu’s talks approaches, Macron faces difficult choices, including the potential dissolution of parliament, which could further destabilize his presidency and reshape the French political landscape.
Disclaimer: This content is aggregated from public sources online. Please verify information independently. If you believe your rights have been infringed, contact us for removal.