French Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu has tendered his resignation to President Emmanuel Macron, effective immediately. The Élysée Palace confirmed the resignation, marking a brief tenure of just 27 days for the former defense minister.
Lecornu’s appointment, made on September 20th, followed a period of political realignment for President Macron. He was tasked with securing a parliamentary majority for the upcoming budget and subsequently presenting a government lineup to the President. However, his efforts were hampered by ongoing challenges in building consensus within the National Assembly.
Just days prior to his resignation, Lecornu unveiled his cabinet selections, alongside proposals for a tax on income exceeding €250,000. These proposals, alongside other appointments, drew criticism from the conservative “Les Républicains” party, contributing to heightened political tension. Speculation arose that “Les Républicains” might consider withdrawing from the governing coalition amidst reports of an emergency party meeting.
The move follows a similar situation earlier this year when Lecornu’s predecessor, François Bayrou, lost a vote of confidence in the National Assembly after only nine months in office. Disagreements over proposed austerity measures in the budget proved to be the pivotal factor in his downfall.
Since the snap elections held in July, President Macron’s coalition has lacked a clear majority in the National Assembly, significantly complicating the government’s ability to pass legislation. The circumstances surrounding Lecornu’s brief leadership underscore the fragility of the current political landscape and the ongoing difficulties in securing stable parliamentary support.