UPDATE: France’s political landscape is in turmoil as President Emmanuel Macron faces urgent calls for resignation following the resignation of his latest Prime Minister, Sebastien Lecornu. This crisis marks the resignation of five prime ministers in less than two years, intensifying demands for a snap parliamentary election to restore stability.
The outcry for Macron to step down is gaining momentum, with former Prime Minister Edouard Philippe stating it is time for new leadership. Speaking on RTL radio, he urged Macron to “leave in an orderly manner” to alleviate the ongoing political deadlock. This unprecedented political upheaval is being described as one of the worst crises since the establishment of the Fifth Republic in 1958.
As of now, Lecornu is holding last-ditch negotiations to form a new government, just two days after taking office—the shortest in modern French history. The urgency of these talks comes amid fears of a deteriorating economy in the Eurozone’s second-largest economy, with public sentiment turning sour. “It’s a mess. It makes you sad,” lamented Brigitte Gries, a 70-year-old pensioner in Paris. Observers note that France is becoming a “laughing stock” globally, as expressed by taxi driver Soufiane Mansour from Montpellier.
Market reactions have been swift. French stocks plummeted by 1.4 percent on Monday, with the risk premium on French government bonds reaching a nine-month high. Investors are increasingly anxious about France’s ability to manage its significant budget deficit as political uncertainty mounts.
In response to the internal crisis, former Macron loyalist Gabriel Attal criticized the President’s decisions, stating he is “no longer able to understand” the current political direction. Meanwhile, Education Minister Elisabeth Borne, another former prime minister, has suggested a suspension of the controversial pension overhaul, a move that aligns with growing calls from the left to abandon the 2023 bill entirely.
The stakes are high as Lecornu attempts to negotiate with political leaders from Macron’s centrist alliance and conservative factions. The immediate priority is to secure enough support to pass next year’s budget in the National Assembly. However, the far-right National Rally, led by Marine Le Pen and Jordan Bardella, has announced its intention to boycott discussions, reiterating demands for the dissolution of the assembly.
Polling indicates that a repeat election could result in yet another fractured parliament, with no single party likely to achieve a majority. As the situation develops, eyes are on Macron’s next moves and whether he can navigate the mounting pressure to stabilize his government.
With political tensions running high, the future of Macron’s presidency hangs in the balance. Will he heed the calls for change, or will he attempt to weather this storm? As developments unfold, France’s political future remains uncertain, and the world watches closely.
