A Government That Lasted Less Than a Day
France has entered a new phase of political paralysis. Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu resigned after just 27 days in office—and his cabinet after only 14 hours—setting a grim record in French political history.
The Lecornu government’s collapse is not just another episode of instability; it marks the third resignation in one year. This pattern reflects a structural deadlock that threatens to paralyze Emmanuel Macron’s presidency and raises a pressing question: can France govern itself without fresh elections?
A Coalition Built on Sand
The Lecornu government fell apart before it could even stand. Appointed on September 9, Lecornu struggled for weeks to finalize his cabinet due to tensions between Macron’s centrist movement, Renaissance, and the conservative Republicans—the only party willing to negotiate coalition support.
The Republicans demanded about one-third of ministerial posts and a tougher migration policy. Macron’s refusal to fully concede to those demands—and his appointment of Bruno Le Maire as Minister of Defense and Roland Lescure as Minister of the Economy—infuriated his would-be partners. Both men are Macron loyalists, not conservatives.
By October 5, when the final list of ministers was announced, the Republicans had already voted not to join the coalition. Lecornu’s planned policy address to parliament on October 7 would have been an act of political suicide.
Instead, he resigned quietly that morning, leaving Macron to pick up the pieces.
Macron’s Isolation Deepens
President Emmanuel Macron is now more politically isolated than at any other time in his presidency. His centrist bloc holds only a relative majority in the National Assembly and cannot pass legislation without external support.
Repeated attempts to build coalitions—first with moderates, then with conservatives—have failed. The president is caught between a hardening right, increasingly aligned with Marine Le Pen’s far-right National Rally, and a resurgent left, fragmented but vocal.
Left in Motion, but Not United
Jean-Luc Mélenchon, the far-left leader of La France Insoumise, continues to call for mass mobilization and the dissolution of parliament.
Moderate figures like Marine Tondelier (leader of the Greens) and Socialist leaders have resisted uniting under his leadership. Tondelier confirmed that Macron has quietly explored appointing a left-wing prime minister, but so far, no agreement has been reached.
The left senses opportunity—but not unity. Each faction seeks to capitalize on Macron’s weakness without surrendering ideological ground.
Pressure Mounts for Early Elections
Former Prime Minister Édouard Philippe, once Macron’s ally, has urged the president to “announce early presidential elections once the 2026 budget is approved.” His statement on RTL Radio reflects a growing view across the French political spectrum: the current administration can no longer govern effectively.
Even within Macron’s camp, whispers of resignation or dissolution have begun. Constitutionally, the president could dissolve the National Assembly and call new parliamentary elections, hoping to regain legitimacy.
But the risk is immense—polls show that both the far right and the far left could gain dramatically, leaving the center further weakened.
France’s political stalemate has already spilled over into the economy. Prolonged uncertainty is damaging investor confidence and threatening the country’s credit rating, as agencies warn of potential downgrades.
The public debt has risen above 110% of GDP, and the parliament, unable to pass a budget without confrontation, is stalling spending reforms.
Meanwhile, protests and strikes continue across sectors—from transport to public services—amplifying the perception of a government in disarray.
Macron at a Crossroads
Macron’s options are narrowing. His three possible paths are all risky:
- Form a fragile left-leaning coalition—seeking temporary cooperation with moderate Greens or Socialists while isolating Mélenchon’s radical left.
- Appoint a technocratic caretaker government—one that manages fiscal affairs without political ties but lacks democratic legitimacy.
- Call early parliamentary elections—a constitutional gamble that could result in defeat and potentially pave the way for Marine Le Pen’s far-right movement.
All options present significant risks. The first may prove unstable; the second may be considered undemocratic, and the third could end Macron’s political project altogether.
Alone on the Seine
On October 6, French journalists captured an image of Macron walking alone along the Seine embankment—an image that has since gone viral. It symbolized his current predicament: a president surrounded by institutions yet isolated from political allies and the public.
Macron’s approval rating has fallen below 25%, and his centrist promise of unity now seems a distant memory. Whether he can rebuild a functional government or must face voters sooner than expected will determine not only his legacy but also the future of France.
