Sébastien Lecornu resigned as France’s prime minister on Monday, ending one of the shortest tenures since 1958.
He stepped down only weeks after his appointment, deepening the political turmoil gripping the French government.
President Emmanuel Macron accepted his resignation hours after Lecornu presented his government’s initial lineup.
Lecornu’s exit highlighted continuing fractures within Macron’s administration and the wider political landscape.
Cabinet Choices Spark Backlash Across Political Lines
Lecornu faced strong opposition from both his allies and rivals after revealing his cabinet selections.
He had led the government for less than a month before pressure mounted for him to quit.
Members of his own camp questioned his judgment and criticised the lack of fresh leadership.
Opposition lawmakers accused him of recycling old faces rather than bringing in new talent.
Returning Ministers Ignite Party Discontent
The conservative Republicans expressed anger over Bruno Le Maire’s comeback as defence minister.
They viewed his return as a betrayal of efforts to introduce new conservative figures into government.
Other critics condemned the cabinet for its continuity, noting that 12 of 18 ministers served under François Bayrou.
Bayrou’s removal on 8 September had promised renewal, yet Lecornu’s team signalled the opposite.
Lecornu’s brief tenure ended amid frustration and renewed doubts about Macron’s direction for France.
