Paris – France faces continued political turmoil as outgoing prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu is expected to address the nation at 8 p.m. local time (7 p.m. BST) tonight, potentially paving the way for a new prime minister within the next 48 hours. Lecornu resigned after a mere 26 days in office, though President Macron requested he remain in a caretaker role until this evening in a bid to secure “stability” for the country.
The rapid turnover in leadership stems from a series of political setbacks for Macron following June 2024 European Parliament elections,which prompted a surprise snap parliamentary election. That election resulted in a hung parliament, with the left-wing New Popular Front emerging victorious, followed by Macron’s centrists and Marine Le Pen’s National Rally. The political instability has escalated through failed government formations and budget disputes, threatening france’s economic and political direction.
The current crisis began unfolding after the July 2024 parliamentary elections. Unable to secure an outright majority, Macron initially appointed conservative Michel Barnier as prime minister in September 2024. Barnier’s government collapsed in December 2024 after controversially invoking special powers to push through his budget. Centrist François Bayrou then took the premiership on December 13, 2024, only to lose a confidence vote on proposed budget cuts on September 8, 2025. Lecornu was appointed the following day,September 9,but his cabinet faced immediate criticism and ultimately led to his resignation on October 6,2025.
Lecornu spent today, October 7, in talks with various political parties, seeking a path forward before his scheduled address. The outcome of these discussions and Lecornu’s subsequent proclamation will determine whether France can break the cycle of political instability and establish a functioning government.
