What's happened
As of September 19, 2025, France faces ongoing political turmoil after Prime Minister François Bayrou was ousted on September 8 following a failed austerity budget. President Emmanuel Macron appointed Defense Minister Sébastien Lecornu as the new prime minister, tasking him with uniting a fragmented parliament to pass a budget amid rising debt and nationwide protests.
What's behind the headline?
Political Fragmentation and Deadlock
France's parliament remains deeply divided among far-left, centrist, and far-right factions, with no clear majority. This fragmentation has rendered budget negotiations nearly impossible, causing repeated government collapses within months.
Macron's Leadership and Strategy
President Macron's decision to appoint Sébastien Lecornu, a loyal centrist with a conservative background, signals a commitment to continue pro-business reforms despite public discontent. Lecornu's methodical and discreet style may help navigate parliamentary negotiations, but his close ties to Macron risk alienating the center-left Socialists.
Budget Crisis and Economic Pressures
France's debt stands at over €3.3 trillion (114% of GDP), with a deficit nearly double the EU's 3% limit. Previous austerity proposals, including cutting public holidays and welfare spending, sparked widespread opposition and protests. Lecornu has already scrapped some unpopular measures, such as eliminating two public holidays, and plans to find alternative financing.
Social Unrest and Public Sentiment
Nationwide strikes and protests, including the "Block Everything" movement, reflect deep public frustration over austerity, rising living costs, and pension reforms. Trade unions and left-wing groups reject spending cuts and demand higher taxes on the wealthy.
Forecast and Consequences
Lecornu faces the daunting task of forging a parliamentary consensus to pass the 2026 budget amid political fragmentation and social unrest. Failure to do so risks further government instability, potential snap elections that could empower the far-right National Rally, and continued economic uncertainty. The political deadlock threatens to undermine France's economic recovery and its role in European affairs.
What the papers say
The Associated Press highlights Lecornu's pragmatic approach, noting his scrapping of unpopular austerity measures like cutting public holidays and trimming lifetime benefits for former ministers, aiming to ease tensions with opposition and unions. AP also details the looming nationwide strikes and the fragmented parliament's challenges in addressing the budget crisis.
Politico emphasizes the political deadlock, quoting Lecornu's intent to avoid both "instability and immobility" and his efforts to negotiate with the Socialists and conservatives to secure budget support. It underscores the difficulty of crafting a budget acceptable to opposing parties amid rising debt and deficit concerns.
Al Jazeera focuses on the political crisis's depth, describing the fall of Bayrou's government over a €44 billion austerity plan and the risks Lecornu faces in managing a minority government reliant on far-right support. It also highlights the "Block Everything" protests and the public's anger over austerity and pension reforms.
The Independent and NY Post provide background on Lecornu's political career and his appointment as prime minister, noting Macron's gamble on loyalty and continuity amid repeated government collapses. They discuss Lecornu's conservative roots and his role in defense spending, as well as the risks of alienating the Socialist Party and depending on far-right parliamentary support.
The Guardian and South China Morning Post analyze the broader political instability, with multiple prime ministers falling in under two years and Macron's reluctance to call new elections despite pressure. They explore the challenges of coalition-building in a traditionally non-coalition system and the potential for cooperation with the Socialists.
Overall, the sources present a consistent picture of a deeply divided French political landscape struggling with economic pressures and social unrest, with Lecornu's appointment representing both continuity and a critical test for Macron's presidency.
How we got here
France's political instability stems from a fragmented parliament after Macron's 2024 snap election, with no majority for any bloc. Successive minority governments, including Bayrou's, failed to pass austerity budgets aimed at reducing a debt exceeding 114% of GDP, leading to repeated government collapses and social unrest.
Go deeper
- What challenges does Sébastien Lecornu face as France's new prime minister?
- How is France's fragmented parliament affecting budget negotiations?
- What impact are the nationwide strikes having on French politics?
Common question
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François Bayrou (French: [fʁɑ̃swa bajʁu] ; born 25 May 1951) is a French politician who served as Prime Minister of France from December 2024 to September 2025. He has presided over the European Democratic Party (EDP) since 2004 and the Democratic Mo
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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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