by Carlo Longo
Sébastien Lecornu lasted just 14 hours with his new cabinet before losing support. Macron’s “last card” may have folded, with 2027 looming and allies distancing themselves
France’s political turmoil deepened on Monday as Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu resigned, becoming the third head of government to fall in just a matter of months—and arguably the most humiliating exit yet.
Appointed barely three and a half weeks ago, Lecornu was presented as President Emmanuel Macron’s “last card”: loyal, discreet, uncontroversial, and potentially capable of forging a stable coalition in a fractured parliament. But within 14 hours of naming his cabinet, his government was already collapsing.
He didn’t even make it to his inaugural address to parliament, scheduled for Tuesday. By Monday morning, the whole experiment had imploded.
What Went Wrong?
At the centre of the latest political blow-up is the centre-right Republicans party (LR), whose roughly 40 MPs are considered essential to any centrist governing alliance. Initially, LR leader Bruno Retailleau—who also served as interior minister—signalled willingness to remain in the new government.
But just an hour after Lecornu announced his cabinet, Retailleau reversed course, publicly withdrawing support.
The tipping point? Lecornu’s decision to name Bruno Le Maire, former finance minister and Macron ally, as defence minister—a move LR viewed as a betrayal. Le Maire had defected from the Republicans to join Macron years earlier, and LR leaders still blame him for France’s spiralling national debt.
Even more inflammatory was how LR found out: Retailleau reportedly learned of Le Maire’s appointment by watching TV, prompting accusations of political deceit.
By the end of the day, Le Maire agreed to withdraw from the cabinet, and Macron gave Lecornu a 48-hour reprieve to try salvaging a deal with the Republicans. But the damage may already be done.
Macron’s Grip Is Slipping
Regardless of whether Lecornu can cobble something together in the next two days, the underlying problem remains: Macron’s authority is weakening fast, and the political centre he built is beginning to fracture.
The closer France gets to the 2027 presidential election, the more reluctant potential allies become. Macron is deeply unpopular, and politicians across the spectrum now fear being punished at the polls simply for standing beside him.
Even once-loyal figures are keeping their distance. Gabriel Attal, Macron’s former prime minister and protégé, has gone quiet.
And the centre-right alliance that Macron needs is showing clear signs of unraveling. The LR are out. Centrists are grumbling. Ministers are walking a fine line between loyalty and self-preservation.
As one seasoned observer put it, this feels like the twilight of the Macron era. His inner circle is thinning. His options are shrinking. And his so-called “last card” may have just folded in record time.
(Associated Medias) – Tutti i diritti sono riservati
L’articolo Another French Prime Minister Resigns, Deepening Macron’s Political Crisis proviene da Associated Medias.
