From confidence to crisis: How Macron’s presidency became a lonely battle

According to Le Monde, Lecornu— “a beleaguered prime minister weakened from within”—submitted his resignation to the president only hours after forming his government. Minutes later, on the steps of the Élysée Palace, he told reporters:

“The conditions to remain in office as prime minister no longer exist.”

Lecornu explained that he had made great efforts to build dialogue with social partners, business leaders, and labor unions, particularly over divisive issues such as unemployment insurance, cost of living, and social security — aiming to create a “shared roadmap” for national recovery.

The French newspaper warned that his resignation throws the country into political instability with unpredictable consequences, coming just three weeks after the fall of François Bayrou — the third prime minister to quit for lack of parliamentary support.

In an unprecedented twist, Lecornu didn’t even have the chance to present his general policy statement to the National Assembly before stepping down.

Growing criticism of Lecornu’s cabinet

Le Monde compared the wave of resignations to a domino effect, saying that political forces within Macron’s own camp have been voicing doubts one after another. The composition of Lecornu’s cabinet, which largely mirrored that of the previous government, became a lightning rod for criticism from opposition parties and even some allies.

Several parliamentary factions had already threatened to issue a vote of no confidence, criticizing Lecornu for reappointing 12 of the 18 ministers from the outgoing government — a move that fueled discontent among those left out of key positions.

Ultimately, like his predecessors, Lecornu found himself unable to unify his political base, negotiate budget compromises with the socialists, or free himself from the president’s shadow.

Macron’s three options

According to Le Monde, Macron now faces three possible paths out of the crisis:

1.     Appoint a new prime minister — though expanding his fragile majority toward either the left or the far right appears increasingly difficult.

2.     Dissolve the National Assembly — a power Macron regained in July, allowing him to call for snap elections.

3.     Resign — a scenario the president reportedly despises but which, amid growing anger and silence from the Élysée, is being whispered more openly among both critics and allies.

Le Monde concluded that “Emmanuel Macron now finds himself alone on the front line,” as calls for his resignation and demands for party dissolution grow louder.

Jean-Luc Mélenchon, leader of La France Insoumise, posted on X:

“After the resignation of Sébastien Lecornu, we demand an immediate review of the motion submitted by 104 deputies to remove Emmanuel Macron from office.”

Meanwhile, Jordan Bardella, head of the far-right National Rally, also called for a new dissolution of parliament, saying after talks with Marine Le Pen:

“Without returning to the ballot box, stability cannot be restored.”