France's Premier Lecornu Tenders Resignation Following Under a Month in the Role
The nation's PM Lecornu has stepped down, less than a day after his ministers was announced.
The Elysée palace confirmed the news after the Prime Minister met President Emmanuel Macron for an hour on the start of the week.
This shock move comes only 26 days after Lecornu was appointed prime minister following the downfall of the previous government of his predecessor.
Various groups in the French parliament had fiercely criticised the structure of his ministerial team, which was very close to the previous one, and vowed to reject it.
Calls for Snap Polls and Political Unrest
Multiple political groups are now clamouring for new parliamentary polls, with some demanding Macron to also leave office - although he has consistently affirmed he will not stand down before his term ends in 2027.
"The President needs to decide: calling new elections or leaving office," said Chenu, one of prominent members of the RN party.
The outgoing PM - the former armed forces minister and a ally of the President - was the fifth premier in less than 24 months.
Context of Political Crisis
France's political landscape has been markedly turbulent since last summer, when sudden national voting resulted in a no clear majority.
This has created challenges for every premier to secure enough backing to enact new laws.
Bayrou's government was rejected in September after the assembly declined to support his spending cuts plan, which aimed to slash government spending by €44bn.
Financial Challenges and Market Reaction
France's deficit reached 5.8 percent of economic output in 2024 and its government debt is 114 percent of GDP.
That is the third highest public debt in the euro area after Italy and Greece, and amounting to almost €50,000 per French citizen.
Markets declined in the Paris bourse after the news of Lecornu's resignation was released on Monday.
