Sébastien Lecornu quits as French Prime Minister after just 26 days in power

In France, the political landscape witnessed another shake-up as Sébastien Lecornu resigned from his position as Prime Minister, barely 26 days after his appointment. His brief tenure followed the resignation of François Bayrou, and was marred by fierce criticism and opposition pressures regarding his cabinet choices and proposed budget cuts. Lecornu's government, composed of a fragile four-party coalition, struggled to find consensus on the unpopular fiscal policies intended to address France's growing financial deficit. Despite highlighting his willingness to compromise, Lecornu ultimately faced increasing dissent leading him to step down, underscoring the turmoil in French politics. The resignation unfolded amid deteriorating public sentiment towards the government, as opposition parties united against the proposed policies. Lecornu's cabinet, announced just a day prior to his resignation, had already faced backlash, particularly regarding the inclusion of former finance minister Bruno Le Maire in a defense role. His commitment to maintaining continuity by retaining other ministers from the prior administration did not appease critics from various political factions who felt that deeper changes were necessary to restore public confidence. With France experiencing its fifth Prime Minister since early 2023, the ongoing instability has raised alarm bells among both political analysts and economic stakeholders. The uncertainty has prompted calls for fresh elections sooner than the originally scheduled 2029, while significant opposition figures, including members of the National Rally and left-leaning parties, have intensified demands for President Emmanuel Macron’s resignation. Their dissatisfaction stems from the government's inability to deliver on critical reforms, which has fueled a perception that the current political structure is incapable of addressing essential budgeting issues. As the political crisis deepens, the markets have reacted negatively to Lecornu's departure, illustrating widespread concerns about governance. The French CAC40 stock index fell sharply, and government borrowing costs surged, reflecting fears that necessary reforms for fiscal stability may not be enacted. Meanwhile, prominent political figures like Marine Le Pen and Mathilde Panot have increased their rhetoric, framing the situation as indicative of a broader failure in Macron's leadership and calling for significant systemic changes to restore legitimacy in the National Assembly.