The French PM Lecornu Resigns After Less Than a 30-Day Period in Power
France's Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu has handed in his resignation, less than a day after his government team was announced.
The French presidency confirmed the news after Lecornu met the French President for an hour on the start of the week.
This shock move comes only under four weeks after he was given the PM role following the collapse of the previous government of his predecessor.
Various groups in the French parliament had sharply condemned the makeup of his ministerial team, which was mostly similar to Bayrou's, and promised to block its approval.
Pressure for New Vote and Political Instability
Multiple political groups are now clamouring for a snap election, with certain voices demanding Macron to also leave office - although he has always said he will not stand down before his term ends in 2027.
"The President needs to pick: parliament's dissolution or resignation," said Chenu, one of key representatives of the RN party.
The outgoing PM - the ex-defense chief and a Macron loyalist - was France's fifth prime minister in under two years.
Context of Political Turmoil
France's political landscape has been very volatile since mid-2024, when early legislative polls resulted in a no clear majority.
This has made it difficult for every premier to obtain required votes to pass any bills.
Bayrou's government was voted down in autumn after parliament voted against his fiscal tightening package, which aimed to slash government spending by 44 billion euros.
Economic Pressures and Stock Response
France's deficit stood at nearly 6% of the economy in 2024 and its government debt is 114% of GDP.
That is the third largest government debt in the euro area after Italy and Greece, and equal to almost 50,000 euros per person.
Stocks fell sharply in the Paris bourse after the news of Lecornu's resignation emerged on Monday morning.
