The French PM Lecornu Steps Down Following Under a 30-Day Period in the Role
The French Premier Sébastien Lecornu has stepped down, shortly after his government team was announced.
The presidential office confirmed the news after Lecornu met President Emmanuel Macron for an 60-minute discussion on the start of the week.
This unexpected development comes only less than a month after he was named premier following the downfall of the previous government of his predecessor.
Various groups in the French parliament had sharply condemned the composition of his ministerial team, which was mostly similar to Bayrou's, and threatened to vote it down.
Demands for Early Elections and Government Instability
A number of factions are now calling for early elections, with certain voices urging the President to also leave office - despite the fact that he has always said he will not leave before his term ends in 2027.
"The President needs to pick: calling new elections or leaving office," said Chenu, one of key representatives of the RN party.
The outgoing PM - the former armed forces minister and a ally of the President - was France's fifth prime minister in less than 24 months.
Background of Government Crisis
The nation's governance has been markedly turbulent since mid-2024, when early legislative polls resulted in a no clear majority.
This has created challenges for each PM to secure enough backing to pass any bills.
The former cabinet was voted down in last month after the assembly refused to back his fiscal tightening package, which aimed to cut state costs by 44 billion euros.
Financial Challenges and Market Reaction
The French shortfall reached nearly 6% of the economy in the current year and its government debt is 114% of GDP.
That is the third largest government debt in the European monetary union after Greece and Italy, and equivalent to almost €50,000 per French citizen.
Share prices dropped in the Paris bourse after the resignation report was released on the start of the week.
