France's Premier Sébastien Lecornu Resigns After Under a Month in Power
France's Prime Minister Lecornu has handed in his resignation, less than a day after his cabinet was announced.
The Elysée palace confirmed the news after Lecornu met President Emmanuel Macron for an meeting on the start of the week.
This unexpected development comes only less than a month after Lecornu was named premier following the collapse of the previous government of his predecessor.
Political factions in the legislature had sharply condemned the structure of the new government, which was largely unchanged to Bayrou's, and threatened to vote it down.
Pressure for Snap Polls and Government Instability
Multiple political groups are now clamouring for a snap election, with certain voices demanding Macron to step down as well - despite the fact that he has consistently affirmed he will not leave before his time in office finishes in 2027.
"Macron needs to pick: calling new elections or resignation," said Sébastien Chenu, one of leading figures of the RN party.
Lecornu - the previous military head and a Macron loyalist - was the fifth premier in less than 24 months.
Context of Political Crisis
France's political landscape has been markedly turbulent since July 2024, when snap parliamentary elections resulted in a no clear majority.
This has made it difficult for any prime minister to garner the necessary support to approve legislation.
The former cabinet was rejected in last month after lawmakers voted against his spending cuts plan, which aimed to reduce public expenditure by $51 billion.
Financial Pressures and Stock Reaction
The nation's budget gap hit 5.8 percent of economic output in the current year and its public debt is 114% of GDP.
That is the third highest public debt in the eurozone after two southern European nations, and equal to almost 50,000 euros per person.
Stocks fell sharply in the Paris bourse after the news of Lecornu's resignation was released on Monday.
