Fresh crisis in France: Lecornu resigns after just 27 days as PM

In a shocking turn of events, French PM Sébastien Lecornu (39) resigned on Monday, just 27 days into office, making him the shortest-ever PM of France's Fifth Republic that was established in 1958.

- Roshan Bourget

His abrupt resignation is a new low for the political instability engulfing France, with grave questions raised on President Emmanuel Macron's capability for governing, particularly with mounting calls for dissolution of the National Assembly.

Lecornu, a trusted ally of French President Macron (47) and a one-term Minister for the Armed Forces, was appointed on September 9, 2025 and was tasked with getting France out of a deep political deadlock, which has immobilised governance since the June 2024 snap elections, that left no party with a decisive majority.

Within hours of announcing half of his ministerial team on Sunday evening, sharp criticism burst forth from opposition parties and from inside his tenuous coalition. A political storm was caused when Bruno Le Maire, a onetime finance minister, was handed over the Ministry of the Armed Forces portfolio.