French Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu Steps Down Following Less Than a 30-Day Period in Office
France's Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu has resigned, less than a day after his ministers was unveiled.
The presidential office issued a statement after Lecornu met President Emmanuel Macron for an hour on Monday morning.
This shock move comes only under four weeks after Lecornu was named premier following the downfall of the previous government of François Bayrou.
Parties across the board in the French parliament had fiercely criticised the makeup of Lecornu's cabinet, which was largely unchanged to Bayrou's, and vowed to reject it.
Calls for Snap Polls and Political Instability
Multiple political groups are now demanding early elections, with others urging Macron to step down as well - although he has always said he will not leave before his mandate concludes in five years from now.
"Macron needs to choose: parliament's dissolution or stepping down," said Sébastien Chenu, one of leading figures of the National Rally.
Lecornu - the ex-defense chief and a supporter of Macron - was the fifth French PM in less than 24 months.
Background of Political Crisis
The nation's governance has been markedly turbulent since last summer, when early legislative polls resulted in a no clear majority.
This has made it difficult for each PM to garner the necessary support to enact new laws.
The former cabinet was voted down in September after the assembly voted against his spending cuts plan, which aimed to cut state costs by $51 billion.
Financial Challenges and Stock Reaction
The French shortfall reached 5.8% of GDP in 2024 and its government debt is 114 percent of GDP.
That is the third highest public debt in the euro area after two southern European nations, and amounting to almost 50,000 euros per person.
Share prices dropped in the Paris bourse after the news of Lecornu's resignation emerged on Monday.
