October 6, 2025

In a dramatic twist on October 6, 2025, French Prime Minister Sebastien Lecornu stepped down just hours after unveiling his new cabinet, sending France into deeper political chaos. Lecornu, appointed by President Emmanuel Macron just last month and formerly a defence minister, presented his new government lineup late Sunday. Yet, the cabinet showed very few changes from previous teams, drawing strong criticism from opposition parties and lawmakers alike. Jordan Bardella, leader of the National Rally, reacted sharply to Lecornu's resignation, declaring, "There can be no return to stability without a return to the polls and the dissolution of the National Assembly." Lecornu faced a tough task — winning parliamentary approval for a tough austerity budget for the coming year. France is wrestling with record-high public debt. Official figures show France’s debt-to-GDP ratio is the third highest in the European Union, behind only Greece and Italy. The ratio now nearly doubles the EU's 60 percent limit, reported France 24. The budget fight has already toppled two previous prime ministers, Francois Bayrou and Michel Barnier, who clashed with lawmakers over the spending cuts. Macron’s governments have been criticized for using constitutional tricks to bypass parliamentary votes and push through budgets. However, Lecornu promised last week that he would let lawmakers vote on the austerity plan, refusing to take the easy way out. Meanwhile, far-right leader and three-time presidential candidate Marine Le Pen also urged for snap parliamentary elections following Lecornu's exit. "A dissolution (of parliament) is absolutely necessary," she said, according to France 24. With political gridlock tightening its grip, and public debt soaring, France finds itself in a stormy political sea, waiting to see who will steer the ship next.

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Tags: Sebastien lecornu, France politics, Prime minister resignation, Emmanuel macron, French parliament, National assembly dissolution,