Paris, France – France's political landscape, gripped by an unprecedented period of instability, could see a new Prime Minister appointed within the next 48 hours. This assessment comes from Sébastien Lecornu, the outgoing interim Prime Minister, who on Wednesday, October 8, 2025, indicated that discussions with parliamentary factions showed a receding prospect of snap legislative elections and a path forward for President Emmanuel Macron to name a new head of government. Lecornu’s statement marked a pivotal moment in his extraordinary 48-hour mission, assigned by President Macron to gauge the feasibility of forming a stable government following his own abrupt resignation just days prior.
A Whirlwind Tenure and Swift Resignation
The announcement by Lecornu arrives against a backdrop of severe governmental turbulence. Appointed as Prime Minister on September 9, 2025, Sébastien Lecornu's tenure lasted merely 27 days, making him the shortest-serving head of government in the history of France's Fifth Republic. His resignation on Monday, October 6, less than 24 hours after unveiling his proposed cabinet, underscored the deep divisions plaguing the French National Assembly. The immediate trigger for his departure was the inability to secure sufficient parliamentary backing for his government, particularly from conservative allies whose support was crucial to pass the upcoming 2026 budget. Lecornu himself cited a lack of cooperation and consensus among France's political parties, making effective governance impossible.
France's Persistent Crisis of Governance
Lecornu's brief stint as Prime Minister and subsequent resignation are symptomatic of a broader and persistent political crisis that has engulfed France since snap legislative elections in 2024. These elections, called by President Macron, resulted in a hung parliament where no single political bloc—neither Macron's centrist "Ensemble" alliance, the left-wing New Popular Front (NFP), nor the far-right National Rally (RN)—secured an absolute majority. This fragmentation has created a challenging environment for forming stable governments, leading to a succession of short-lived administrations. Prior to Lecornu, Michel Barnier (appointed September 5, 2024) and François Bayrou (appointed February 14, 2025) also served as Prime Ministers, with their governments collapsing primarily over budgetary disputes. The central and recurring challenge for any French government in this climate has been the passage of the annual budget, a task made exceedingly difficult by the fractured legislature.
Navigating the Impasse: Macron's Mandate to Lecornu
Following Lecornu's resignation, President Macron faced critical choices: appoint a new Prime Minister or dissolve the National Assembly and call for new legislative elections. Opting for the former, Macron accepted Lecornu's resignation but immediately tasked him with a unique 48-hour mission. Lecornu, now serving in an interim capacity, was to conduct "final negotiations" with political parties to ascertain if a consensus could be built for a stable government, thereby averting further snap elections. Macron's decision to buy time underscored his reluctance to hold another vote, as polls suggested such an election would likely result in similar parliamentary fragmentation or, potentially, a significant gain for the far-right.
During his subsequent talks, Lecornu reported finding a "willingness" among various party leaders to agree on a budget by the end of the year, which he cited as evidence that the prospects of a parliamentary dissolution were "receding." This sentiment informed his statement that a new Prime Minister could be named shortly. The urgent need to address France's ballooning budget deficit, projected to exceed 5.5% of GDP and nearly double the European Union's permitted limit, remains a primary concern, both domestically and for France's international standing. Despite Lecornu's optimistic outlook, major opposition parties, including the far-right National Rally and the far-left France Unbowed, continued to call for snap elections or vowed to oppose any new government formed by Macron.
A Nation Awaits the Next Chapter
As the 48-hour deadline given to Sébastien Lecornu draws to a close, all eyes remain on President Macron and the Elysée Palace. The potential appointment of a new Prime Minister in the coming hours signifies a critical attempt to restore order and functionality to French governance. The ongoing political instability, marked by three short-lived prime ministers within a year, has placed immense pressure on Macron's presidency and raised questions about France's capacity to address its economic challenges effectively. The success of any new government will hinge on its ability to forge cross-party consensus, particularly on fiscal matters, and navigate a deeply divided parliament to ensure the nation's continued stability and economic health.
