France in Crisis: Sébastien Lecornu Resigns as Macron Faces Fresh Turmoil
Introduction
France has plunged into political turmoil with the sudden resignation of Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu, just hours after forming his government. This unprecedented move marks the shortest-lived government in the Fifth Republic's history, underscoring the deepening crisis in French politics.
Key Details
Lecornu, a former defense minister, was appointed less than a month ago following a no-confidence vote that ousted his predecessor. His brief tenure was marked by opposition from both far-left and far-right blocs over proposed austerity measures aimed at addressing France's high debt levels. The immediate collapse of his government highlights the challenges facing President Emmanuel Macron, who now faces demands for snap elections or his resignation.
Impact
The political instability has significant implications for France and Europe, with financial markets reacting negatively and social unrest looming. Macron's future, including his re-election bid, hangs in the balance as the country navigates this unprecedented crisis.
About the People Mentioned
Sébastien Lecornu
Sébastien Lecornu, born on June 11, 1986, is a French politician currently serving as Prime Minister of France since September 2025. He is positioned on the right of the political spectrum, advocating Gaullist, Séguinist, and socially conservative views. Lecornu began his political career as a parliamentary assistant at age 20 and was elected mayor of Vernon, Normandy, at 28. He also served as President of the Departmental Council of Eure from 2015 to 2017. Lecornu's ministerial career spans multiple key roles: Secretary of State to the Minister of the Ecological and Inclusive Transition (2017–2018), Minister for Local Authorities (2018–2020), Minister of the Overseas (2020–2022), and Minister of the Armed Forces (2022–2025). He joined President Emmanuel Macron's Renaissance party after leaving The Republicans in 2017. Appointed Prime Minister on September 9, 2025, following the collapse of François Bayrou’s government by a no-confidence vote, Lecornu holds the record as the shortest-serving Prime Minister of the French Fifth Republic. He resigned on October 6, 2025, after just 26 days in office amid political opposition and criticism regarding his cabinet's composition and budget stance but continued as caretaker Prime Minister until his reappointment on October 10, 2025[1][2][4][5][7]. Known for his discreet yet steady rise in politics, Lecornu is the longest-serving minister in Macron’s governments, with over eight years of continuous ministerial service. His political approach emphasizes involving local authorities, notably contributing to the "Great National Debate" in 2019 addressing social unrest[2][3].
Emmanuel Macron
Emmanuel Jean-Michel Frédéric Macron, born December 21, 1977, in Amiens, France, is the current President of France, a position he has held since May 2017. He is the youngest president in French history, elected at age 39. Macron founded the centrist political movement La République En Marche! in April 2016, which won a majority in the 2017 legislative elections. Before his presidency, he studied philosophy and graduated from the École Nationale d’Administration (ENA) in 2004, worked at the Inspectorate General of Finance, and served in the banking sector. He entered politics as Deputy General Secretary of the Presidency in 2012 and was Minister for Economy, Industry, and Digital Affairs from 2014 to 2016[1][2][3]. During his presidency, Macron has implemented significant reforms including changes to labor laws, taxation, and the pension system. He has also prioritized the transition to renewable energy. His policies sparked widespread protests, notably the "yellow vests" movement from 2018 to 2020 and strikes against pension reforms. Macron managed France’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic, overseeing vaccination efforts and economic measures to address the recession[1]. In foreign policy, Macron has been active in reforming the European Union, strengthening ties with Germany and Italy, negotiating trade agreements with China amid the US-China trade war, and confronting security challenges including the AUKUS pact dispute. He has maintained France’s military efforts against ISIS and condemned Russia’s invasion of Ukraine[1]. Macron was re-elected in April 2022, marking the first French president in 20 years to secure a second term. His leadership continues to shape France’s domestic and international policies as of 2025[2][3][5].
