French Political Crisis Deepens After Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu's Resignation

France is undergoing a significant political upheaval following the resignation of Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu on October 7, 2025. This event has intensified debates over governance, pension reform, and parliamentary dynamics, revealing deep-seated democratic challenges within the country.

Lecornu's departure has sparked unprecedented turmoil, leading to intense negotiations between political parties regarding the next steps. Lecornu requested an impact study on suspending the controversial pension reform, a move supported by former Prime Minister Élisabeth Borne, who expressed openness to suspending the reform without any 'red lines' on the issue. Discussions with various political forces, including the Socialist Party, ecologists, and others, are ongoing, though the National Rally has declined to participate further.

The political left has united in demanding the appointment of a leftist Prime Minister and has criticized President Emmanuel Macron for refusing to alter the political course. Patrick Kanner, head of the Socialist group in the Senate, affirmed the left's legitimacy to govern and urged distancing from La France Insoumise. However, constitutional constraints make an early presidential election unlikely, prompting leftist groups to consider the dissolution of the National Assembly as a potential outcome.

Laurent Wauquiez, leader of Les Républicains (LR), warned that without LR’s participation in the government, France might face either leftist leadership or dissolution of the Assembly. The fragmentation within LR reflects broader political divisions. Meanwhile, opposition voices criticized the National Rally for potentially aiding Macron by not endorsing a motion of censure, while Socialist leader Olivier Faure advocated for cohabitation rather than dissolution.

Political scientist Chloé Morin described the crisis as a phase of 'self-destruction' of French democracy, emphasizing the protracted absence of a stable majority and the increasing prioritization of short-term political survival over democratic principles. She warned of shrinking space for moderate political discourse and the rise of populism amid the ongoing presidential election focus.

President Macron has held meetings with key parliamentary figures, including National Assembly President Yaël Braun-Pivet and Senate President Gérard Larcher, amidst the swirling crisis. The political landscape remains fragile and deeply fragmented as debates over pension reform, governance legitimacy, and democratic institutions continue to fuel uncertainty.