French President Emmanuel Macron is once again searching for a new prime minister his sixth in under two years as he faces mounting political paralysis and growing investor anxiety.
The search follows the resignation of Sebastien Lecornu, whose brief tenure ended after failed attempts to unite France’s deeply divided parliament around a deficit-cutting budget.
Macron’s office confirmed he would appoint a new premier within 48 hours, seeking a figure capable of restoring stability and steering a contentious fiscal plan through a fractured legislature.
Political Context
Lecornu’s resignation on Monday marked the shortest-lived administration in modern French history, coming just hours after he announced his cabinet lineup.
He told French television that his work was “done,” noting that a majority of lawmakers opposed snap elections and that a budget deal before year-end remained possible.
Despite these assurances, rival parties refused to compromise. The left-wing France Unbowed (LFI) demanded Macron’s resignation, while the far-right National Rally (RN) renewed its calls for fresh parliamentary elections.
The Socialists urged Macron to appoint a left-leaning premier, while Les Républicains, part of the outgoing government, rejected that idea outright.
Market and Fiscal Pressures
The political stalemate has rattled financial markets as France grapples with a swelling public deficit and investor skepticism about its fiscal discipline.
Still, French bonds held steady after Lecornu’s departure, buoyed by hopes that the country could avoid snap elections and strike a budget compromise.
Government spokesperson Aurore Bergé described the situation as a “last chance” for France’s political establishment to act responsibly and avert deeper instability.
Why It Matters
France’s ongoing government reshuffles underscore a wider crisis of governance under Macron’s second term, marked by waning authority, street protests, and parliamentary deadlock.
With investors watching closely, the ability of the next prime minister to balance fiscal tightening with political consensus could determine not only Macron’s legacy but also France’s economic credibility within the EU.
What’s Next
Macron is expected to name a new prime minister by Friday, a move intended to restore confidence and momentum in his administration.
Whether the next appointee can secure cross-party cooperation, however, remains uncertain and without unity, France risks facing yet another leadership crisis before year’s end.
With information from Reuters.
