In a stunning and swift political development, France’s newly appointed Prime Minister, Sebastien Lecornu, resigned on Monday, October 6, 2025. This unexpected departure occurred merely a day after he unveiled his government and less than a month into his term.
A statement from the French presidency confirmed that President Emmanuel Macron had accepted Lecornu’s resignation.
Lecornu’s brief tenure was marred by immediate backlash over his cabinet selections. Critics from across the political spectrum voiced their disapproval, particularly concerning his decision to reappoint former finance minister Bruno Le Maire to the sensitive role of defense minister.
Furthermore, many other key ministerial roles remained unchanged from the previous administration. Notably, conservative Bruno Retailleau retained his position as Interior Minister, overseeing policing and internal security, while Jean-Noel Barrot continued as Foreign Minister, and Gerald Darmanin remained at the Justice Ministry.
Facing a deeply fractured National Assembly, Lecornu had publicly committed to fostering consensus. He notably pledged to avoid using a special constitutional power that would allow him to force a budget through parliament without a vote. Instead, he intended to seek a collaborative compromise with lawmakers from both the left and the right, a goal now left unfulfilled.