France’s Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu resigns after less than a month in office

France has been thrown into fresh political turmoil after Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornuresigned just 27 days after taking office, marking the shortest tenure for a prime minister in the country’s modern history.

President Emmanuel Macron accepted Lecornu’s resignation on Monday morning, only hours after the prime minister unveiled his new cabinet. The announcement followed mounting criticism from across the political spectrum, with opponents accusing the new government of lacking direction and unity.

In a brief statement, Lecornu said his departure came after weeks of “unrelenting political deadlock” and blamed both the far right and the left for refusing to compromise. “Each party behaved as though it held its own majority,” he said, adding that consensus had become “impossible under current conditions.”

The resignation highlights the deep divisions within France’s parliament, where no party has held a clear majority since President Macron’s re-election in 2022. Analysts say the latest crisis underscores the president’s struggle to maintain control over a fragmented political landscape.

Lecornu’s abrupt exit triggered volatility in financial markets. Shares in major French banks fell sharply, while the euro and government bonds also weakened amid fears of prolonged instability.

Political rivals quickly seized on the moment. Jean-Luc Mélenchon, leader of the far-left France Unbowed party, called for Macron’s impeachment, accusing him of “governing by crisis.” Meanwhile, Marine Le Pen’s National Rallydemanded that Macron either dissolve parliament or step down, insisting that “only a new election can restore stability.”

As the Élysée Palace scrambles to appoint a new prime minister, France faces yet another test of its political resilience. The coming days will determine whether President Macron can regain authority — or if the crisis will push the country closer to a snap election.