French President Emmanuel Macron is expected to appoint a new prime minister within the next 48 hours, as the country grapples with one of its most serious political crises in decades. His office confirmed the timeline amid growing instability and widespread opposition to dissolving the National Assembly for a snap election.
France’s fifth prime minister in two years, Sébastien Lecornu, resigned on Monday—just hours after revealing his new cabinet. This marks the shortest tenure of any government in modern French history, further highlighting the fragility of Macron’s administration. Lecornu has since held talks across the political spectrum in a last-ditch attempt to stabilise the situation.
According to the presidential office, most lawmakers are opposed to early elections and believe a pathway exists to approve a national budget before the end of the year. Macron is expected to announce his new prime minister based on these consultations.
Despite those efforts, the situation on the ground remains tense. Lecornu’s resignation followed threats from opposition parties—and even some of Macron’s own allies—to oust the government through a no-confidence vote. The lack of a parliamentary majority has made it virtually impossible for Macron to pass key legislation, especially on economic reform and budget issues.
While Lecornu expressed cautious optimism that a deal could still be reached, many believe the crisis is far from over.
Macron Under Pressure to Step Down
Calls for Macron to resign are growing louder across the political spectrum. Prominent voices from both the far right and the left argue that the president has lost his mandate and can no longer govern effectively. These demands are no longer limited to the political fringes—some in the mainstream are also voicing frustration with the current impasse.
Marine Le Pen, leader of the National Rally, dismissed the government’s recent moves as a stalling tactic, refusing to engage in further talks and calling again for immediate parliamentary elections. Jean-Luc Mélenchon of France Unbowed has gone further, insisting the only viable solution is for Macron to step down entirely.
Public frustration has been fuelled by unpopular reforms and growing economic pressures. The left-wing bloc, including the Socialist Party and the Greens, has put forward proposals for a new government—calling for a wealth tax on the ultra-rich and a rollback of recent pension changes, measures that enjoy strong public backing.
As political uncertainty drags on, markets have shown signs of unease, though there was a modest rebound after Lecornu suggested a deal might still be on the table. Still, France’s standing among investors remains shaky.
What happens in the next 48 hours could determine whether Macron manages to cling to power or whether the growing movement demanding his resignation forces a dramatic shift in the country’s leadership.
