France is in the grip of a deepening political crisis. The country’s latest prime minister, Sébastien Lecornu, resigned in early October 2025 after only 26 days in office, marking the shortest-lived government in modern French history. His resignation, coming just hours after he presented his new cabinet, has exposed the fragility of President Emmanuel Macron’s minority government and raised fundamental questions about the balance of power in the French Fifth Republic.
The crisis is not an isolated event. It is the culmination of a cycle of instability, a hung parliament, and ongoing pressure over budgets and national debt. With no party holding a clear majority in the National Assembly, the ability of any prime minister to govern effectively has become a central challenge.
Who Is the Current Prime Minister of France?
As of October 2025, the prime minister of France is Sébastien Lecornu, though his position remains precarious following his resignation and subsequent reappointment by President Macron. To understand the current situation, it is necessary to look at the key figures and the context of their roles.
Sébastien Lecornu (appointed Sept 2025, resigned Oct 6, 2025, reportedly reappointed Oct 10, 2025).
Emmanuel Macron.
Lecornu served only 26 days before his first resignation.
Political deadlock and inability to pass a budget in a divided National Assembly.
Key Insights on France’s Government Instability
- France is experiencing a severe government instability cycle, with prime ministers serving increasingly short terms.
- The 2025 crisis is a direct result of a hung parliament following the 2024 snap legislative election, which produced no clear majority.
- The “cohabitation” model, where the president and prime minister are from opposing parties, is not the issue here; rather, it is the inability of any coalition to hold together.
- For non-French audiences, the distinction between presidential and prime ministerial powers is often misunderstood, especially in comparison to systems like that of the United States or the United Kingdom.
Essential Facts: France’s PM vs President
| Role | Title | Head of State? | Head of Government? | Current Officeholder | Appointed By | Can Be Fired By |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| President | President of the Republic | Yes | No | Emmanuel Macron | Direct election | Impeachment only |
| Prime Minister | Prime Minister | No | Yes | Sébastien Lecornu | President | President, or no-confidence vote |
Sébastien Lecornu was born in 1986, making him 39 years old as of 2025. A former minister of defense and overseas territories, he is considered a close ally of President Macron. Reports indicate he is married to Constance Lecornu, a lawyer by profession, though this information is not widely detailed in English-language sources.
Why Did France’s Latest Prime Minister Resign?
The resignation of Sébastien Lecornu on October 6, 2025, stunned many observers. He had only been in office for 26 days and had just unveiled his cabinet hours earlier. The reasons for his departure are rooted in the same political fragmentation that has plagued Macron’s second term.
What Caused the Resignation?
According to reports from multiple news outlets, Lecornu faced intense pressure from both political allies and opponents. The core issue was the composition of his cabinet and the seemingly impossible task of passing a budget through a deeply divided National Assembly. Lecornu himself stated that political parties were unwilling to compromise, leaving him without the conditions to govern effectively, as reported by The Guardian.
Several reports from Al Jazeera link this specific crisis to the broader French debt and budget crisis, which had already contributed to the downfall of previous governments. The pressure over public finances has made it nearly impossible for any executive to secure the necessary parliamentary support.
The 2024 snap legislative election called by Macron resulted in a hung parliament. No single party or coalition holds a majority of seats in the National Assembly, creating a permanent state of political deadlock.
What Happens When a French PM Resigns?
When a French prime minister resigns, the constitution of the Fifth Republic provides a clear process. President Macron accepted Lecornu’s resignation but immediately asked him to remain in a caretaker role. In this capacity, as explained by Le Monde, the outgoing cabinet is limited to routine administration and urgent matters. It cannot launch major reforms or make significant new political commitments. The president has the power to appoint a new prime minister, but there is no legal deadline for doing so. In theory, Macron could even reappoint the same person, which reports suggest he has done.
Who Holds More Power in France: The President or the Prime Minister?
This is one of the most common questions about French politics, especially during times of crisis. The answer is nuanced and depends on the political circumstances.
In France’s Fifth Republic, the president is the head of state, directly elected, and holds significant authority over foreign affairs, defense, and national security. The prime minister is the head of government, responsible for domestic policy, the administration, and managing the day-to-day business of the country.
However, the president has the constitutional power to appoint the prime minister. As the recent crisis shows, President Macron can choose a replacement or even reappoint the same individual after a resignation, as reported by BBC News. This gives the president the upper hand, but only to a point.
President Macron can appoint a prime minister, but he cannot force parliament to vote for his laws. Lecornu’s resignation demonstrated the core limitation of the system: a president cannot easily manufacture a parliamentary majority from a fragmented National Assembly.
In periods of “cohabitation,” where the president and the parliamentary majority are from different parties, the prime minister’s power increases significantly. However, in the current situation, Macron’s party and its allies lack a majority, making the prime minister politically ungovernable even while formally in office. The tension is clear: a strong president, a weak governing coalition, and an unstable parliament.
France’s PM Crisis 2025: A Complete Timeline
The political turmoil has been building for over a year. The following timeline outlines the key events of the 2024–2025 French political crisis.
- June/July 2024: President Macron calls a snap legislative election after a poor performance in European elections. The result is a hung parliament with no clear majority.
- September 9, 2025: After months of political wrangling, Sébastien Lecornu is appointed as Prime Minister by President Macron, tasked with forming a stable government.
- October 6, 2025: Lecornu resigns after just 26 days in office. He cites the impossibility of passing a budget and the unwillingness of other parties to compromise. His government is the shortest-lived in modern French history.
- October 10, 2025 (reported): President Macron reportedly reappoints Sébastien Lecornu to the role of prime minister in a last-ditch effort to end the crisis and form a functional government.
- Ongoing: The caretaker government continues to handle only routine administrative affairs. The future of the budget and major reforms remains uncertain, with opposition figures calling for snap elections or even Macron’s resignation, as noted by DW News.
Certainty vs. Uncertainty: What We Know and What’s Unclear
While the core facts of the crisis are established, several key questions remain unanswered.
| Established Information | Information That Remains Unclear |
|---|---|
| Sébastien Lecornu was appointed PM on Sept 9, 2025. | The exact outcome of his reappointment and whether his new government will survive a no-confidence vote. |
| He resigned on Oct 6, 2025, after 26 days. | Whether Lecornu will remain PM for a longer period or if another figure will be sought. |
| President Macron has the constitutional authority to appoint the PM. | The precise future policy agenda, particularly on the budget, amid the ongoing crisis. |
| Macron has reportedly reappointed Lecornu. | Personal details about Lecornu’s wife and family, which are not widely reported in English-language sources. |
Why This Matters: Political Context and Analysis
The root cause of the instability is the hung parliament that resulted from Macron’s decision to call snap elections in 2024. No party has a majority, making legislation nearly impossible. This is not a crisis of personalities; it is a structural crisis of the semi-presidential system when the assembly is fragmented.
President Macron commands significant constitutional power, but he cannot force a divided parliament to cooperate. The crisis stalls the passage of the budget, which affects public services, social programs, and France’s international commitments within the European Union. As Reuters described it, the situation is a deepening political “mess” reflecting a broader breakdown in stable parliamentary support for the executive, as seen in reports from Reuters.
This situation is not without precedent, but the current crisis is unique in its duration and intensity. The 1958 constitution was designed to provide stability, but it relies on a functioning parliamentary majority. Its absence has created a vacuum which the powerful presidency cannot easily fill.
Credible Sources and Key Quotes
The following quotes from established news organizations offer a reliable picture of the events.
“France is facing further political chaos after the country’s latest prime minister, Sébastien Lecornu, resigned after just 26 days in the role.”
— BBC News
“The current prime minister of France is Sébastien Lecornu who was appointed on 9 September 2025.”
— Wikipedia (Prime Minister of France)
Official decrees and announcements are published by the Élysée Palace, the official website of the French Presidency and the definitive source for appointments and resignations.
What Happens Next in France’s Government Crisis?
The immediate future depends on President Macron’s next moves. The confirmed reappointment of Lecornu suggests an attempt to salvage the situation, but the fundamental problem of a fragmented National Assembly remains. The 2025 crisis is a direct challenge to the governing model of the Fifth Republic, testing the limits of presidential power in an era of parliamentary fragmentation. For broader context on leadership and the exercise of power, readers may also be interested in the biography of George Washington – Biography of the First US President. For insight into how social and political upheaval shapes legacy, one can explore the life of Victor Hugo – Biography, Famous Works, and Lasting Impact.
Frequently Asked Questions
How old is the French Prime Minister?
Sébastien Lecornu was born in 1986. As of 2025, he is 39 years old.
Who is the wife of the French Prime Minister?
Sébastien Lecornu is married to Constance Lecornu, who is a lawyer by profession, as reported by French media.
What is the list of recent French Prime Ministers?
Recent PMs include Élisabeth Borne (2022-2024), Gabriel Attal (2024-2025), and Sébastien Lecornu (2025-present, with a resignation and reappointment).
Does the President or Prime Minister have more power in France?
The President sets the overall direction, especially in foreign affairs. The Prime Minister manages daily domestic policy. The President usually holds more power, unless opposing parties control the assembly.
Why did Sébastien Lecornu resign?
He resigned after 26 days due to the impossibility of building a stable coalition and passing a budget in a divided parliament.
How many PMs has Macron had?
President Macron has appointed five prime ministers: Édouard Philippe, Jean Castex, Élisabeth Borne, Gabriel Attal, and Sébastien Lecornu.
What is a caretaker government in France?
After a resignation, the outgoing cabinet handles only routine administration and urgent matters. It cannot launch new reforms or make major appointments.
Can Macron be forced to resign?
The president can only be removed through impeachment for high treason, a process that requires a supermajority in parliament. Opposition calls for his resignation are not currently binding.
What is the role of the French Prime Minister?
The prime minister is the head of government, responsible for directing the government’s work, implementing laws, and managing domestic and economic policy.
What happens if the government fails?
If a government is defeated in a no-confidence vote or resigns, the president appoints a new prime minister. The new appointee must attempt to form a government that can survive a confidence vote.
Oliver Arthur Morgan Harrison is a staff writer for StoryShift.uk, covering UK news, culture, politics and technology. He works under Editor-in-Chief Maarika Tamm and UK Managing Editor Oliver Grant, following the newsroom standards for sourcing, verification and fact-checking set out in our editorial policies.