France Faces Political Crisis as Prime Minister Resigns Within 24 Hours
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PARIS – In an unprecedented turn of events, French Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu resigned less than a day after forming his government, plunging France into a political crisis and raising serious questions about the stability of President Emmanuel Macron’s governance. This rapid collapse marks a historic low for French governance and underscores the deepening political divisions that have plagued Macron’s presidency.
A Presidency Defined by Deepening Partisanship
The resignation, a shock to the French political system built on the institutional stability established by the 1958 constitution and the primacy of the presidency, arrives amidst growing discontent with Macron’s leadership. Political analyst Zaki Laïdi argues that macron’s attempt to transcend conventional partisan divides has ironically exacerbated them, fostering a broad consensus against his presidency rather than a coalition for it. This failure to forge a new consensus is now manifesting in a dramatic loss of political capital and governmental functionality.
Context: The Fifth Republic and Presidential Power
France’s Fifth Republic, established in 1958 under Charles de Gaulle, was designed to provide strong executive leadership and political stability. The constitution grants notable power to the President, who appoints the Prime Minister. While the Prime Minister leads the government and is responsible to Parliament, the President traditionally holds the ultimate authority. lecornu’s swift departure challenges this established order, signaling a potential weakening of presidential control and a fracturing of the governing coalition.
What’s Next?
The immediate future remains uncertain. Macron must now nominate a new Prime Minister, a process that will likely be fraught with political maneuvering and negotiation. The crisis raises the possibility of early legislative elections, which could further destabilize the government and perhaps lead to a shift in power. The situation demands careful navigation to avoid a prolonged period of political paralysis and to restore confidence in France’s governing institutions.
