French politics has been jolted once again, as Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu resigned on Monday, only four weeks after his appointment. The Élysée Palace confirmed that President Emmanuel Macron accepted the resignation in the early hours, ending a premiership that had been troubled from the outset, reported by ORF News.
The first signs of strain appeared shortly after the allocation of ministerial portfolios. Bruno Retailleau, who retained his post as interior minister and leads the conservative Republicans, expressed frustration over what he called an unbalanced distribution of power. He had demanded that his party hold a third of the government’s ministries but received far less. In response, he announced an emergency meeting of Republican leaders for later in the day.
Adding to tensions was Macron’s unexpected decision to name Bruno Le Maire as defense minister. Le Maire, who stepped down in 2024 after serving as finance and economy minister for years, is a stalwart of Macron’s centrist camp. His appointment angered Republicans, who view it as evidence of the president’s reluctance to genuinely share influence.
Political observers warn that Lecornu’s departure highlights a broader instability in Macron’s second term, with alliances fragile and party rivalries sharpening. The resignation not only underscores divisions within the governing coalition but also raises questions about Macron’s ability to maintain authority as he navigates mounting political pressures.
