What's happened
As of October 9, 2025, France remains mired in political deadlock following Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu's unprecedented resignation just 14 hours after forming his cabinet. President Emmanuel Macron faces mounting pressure amid a hung parliament and spiraling debt crisis, with no clear majority to pass the budget. Macron is expected to appoint a new prime minister within 48 hours to stabilize governance.
What's behind the headline?
Political Instability and Macron's Isolation
France's political crisis is a culmination of Macron's gamble on snap elections in 2024, which fractured the parliament and empowered both far-left and far-right factions. Lecornu's 14-hour tenure—the shortest in modern French history—exemplifies the deep divisions and the inability to form a workable coalition.
Macron's Limited Options
Macron faces a stark choice: appoint an eighth prime minister to navigate a hostile parliament or dissolve the National Assembly for new elections, risking further empowerment of the far right. Calls from former allies like Edouard Philippe for Macron's resignation and early presidential polls underscore the severity of the crisis.
Economic and Social Pressures
The deadlock hampers approval of critical austerity budgets needed to address France's record-high public debt, which is among the highest in the EU. Proposed spending cuts have sparked nationwide protests, intensifying political tensions.
Far-Right Momentum
Marine Le Pen's National Rally rejects negotiations and pushes for snap elections, positioning itself as ready to govern. This dynamic raises the stakes for Macron's administration and the 2027 presidential race, where the far right sees its best chance yet.
Forecast
Macron will likely appoint a technocratic prime minister without presidential ambitions to broker fragile agreements. However, without significant political realignment or early elections, France's governance will remain unstable, with economic and social challenges escalating. The crisis will continue to influence European stability and the broader geopolitical landscape.
What the papers say
Al Jazeera reports that after two days of intense talks, Macron will appoint a new prime minister within 48 hours, aiming to pass a budget by year's end despite parliamentary opposition. South China Morning Post highlights Macron's consultations with parliamentary leaders and the growing calls from former premier Edouard Philippe for early presidential elections, describing Philippe's comments as a "political bomb." The New Arab echoes Philippe's call for Macron to resign, emphasizing the president's isolation and the challenges in forming a coalition. AP News succinctly notes Lecornu's resignation deepening the crisis and Philippe's public distancing from Macron. Politico provides insight into Marine Le Pen's National Rally rejecting talks and demanding snap elections, with Le Pen calling for Macron's resignation and dissolution of the National Assembly. The Times of Israel contextualizes Lecornu's resignation as the shortest in modern French history and underscores the economic implications, including market reactions and France's high debt levels. These sources collectively portray a nation grappling with political fragmentation, economic strain, and rising far-right influence, with Macron's leadership under unprecedented pressure.
How we got here
The crisis stems from Macron's 2024 snap legislative elections that produced a hung parliament, weakening his centrist coalition. Successive prime ministers, including Lecornu, have failed to form stable governments capable of passing austerity budgets amid rising public debt and protests. Opposition parties, including the far-right National Rally, demand early elections or Macron's resignation.
Go deeper
- What led to Sébastien Lecornu's resignation after just 14 hours?
- How is the hung parliament affecting France's budget and governance?
- What are the chances of snap elections or Macron's resignation?
Common question
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Why Did France's Prime Minister Resign After Just 14 Hours?
On October 6, 2025, France saw an unprecedented political event as Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu resigned just 14 hours after forming his cabinet. This shocking quick departure has sparked widespread questions about the stability of French politics, the reasons behind such a swift resignation, and what it means for the country's future. Below, we explore the key details and answer the most pressing questions about this dramatic political turn.
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Why Did France's Prime Minister Resign After Just 14 Hours?
France's political landscape has been shaken by the sudden resignation of Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu, who stepped down just 14 hours after forming his cabinet. This unprecedented move has sparked widespread questions about what led to such a rapid departure and what it means for France's future. Below, we explore the key questions surrounding this political upheaval and what might come next for the French government.
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What’s Causing France’s Political Deadlock Now?
France is currently facing a severe political crisis following the sudden resignation of Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu just 14 hours after forming his cabinet. With a hung parliament and rising economic pressures, many are wondering what’s behind this turmoil and what it means for the future of French politics. Below, we explore the key questions about this ongoing crisis and what might happen next.
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The ongoing Gaza conflict has drawn widespread international attention, prompting varied responses from world leaders. Some call for immediate ceasefires and diplomatic solutions, while others emphasize security concerns. Understanding these reactions helps clarify the global stance on this complex issue. Below, we explore how different nations and leaders are reacting and what this means for the future of peace efforts.
More on these topics
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Emmanuel Jean-Michel Frédéric Macron is a French politician who has been President of France and ex officio Co-Prince of Andorra since 14 May 2017.
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Sébastien Lecornu is a French politician serving as Minister of the Overseas since 2020. A member of La République En Marche! since he left The Republicans in 2017, he was President of the Departmental Council of Eure from 2015 to 2017, Secretary of Sta
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Marion Anne Perrine "Marine" Le Pen (French: [maʁin lə pɛn]; born 5 August 1968) is a French lawyer and politician. She served as the president of the far-right National Rally party (RN) from 2011 to 2021, and ran for the French presidency in the 2012.
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France, officially the French Republic, is a country consisting of metropolitan France in Western Europe and several overseas regions and territories.
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The French Parliament is the bicameral legislature of the French Republic, consisting of the Senate and the National Assembly. Each assembly conducts legislative sessions at separate locations in Paris: the Senate meets in the Palais du Luxembourg and the