NewsOrbital Desk | Paris:
In an unexpected political jolt, France’s newly appointed Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu tendered his resignation just 14 hours after announcing his cabinet, intensifying the country's ongoing governmental instability.

Lecornu, a close ally of President Emmanuel Macron, had unveiled his cabinet lineup on Sunday with plans to hold the first official meeting on Monday afternoon. However, the cabinet structure quickly became a point of contention across the political spectrum. Critics from both the left and right expressed discontent — some deemed the composition too far-right, while others argued it lacked ideological clarity altogether.

Faced with mounting backlash and no clear parliamentary support, Lecornu submitted his resignation to President Macron on Monday morning, which the Élysée Palace officially accepted. His departure has only added to the growing uncertainty in France’s fragmented political landscape.

This development comes at a time when France has already been dealing with instability since Macron’s re-election in 2022, when no party secured a clear majority in Parliament. Lecornu was Macron’s fifth Prime Minister, appointed just last month in a bid to bring some cohesion to the divided legislature.

Reacting swiftly to the crisis, Jordan Bardella, leader of the far-right National Rally party, called on President Macron to dissolve Parliament and call for snap elections. "The only path to restoring political stability is to return to the people," Bardella stated in a press release.

The fallout from Lecornu’s resignation wasn’t limited to politics — it sent immediate ripples through the financial markets. The CAC 40, France’s main stock exchange, dropped 1.5%, with major banking stocks such as BNP Paribas, Société Générale, and Crédit Agricole declining between 4% and 5%. The euro also weakened against major currencies amid rising investor concerns.

Political analysts say that until a cohesive majority is formed in Parliament, it will remain difficult for any administration to implement consistent policies or long-term reforms. Lecornu’s brief tenure underscores a larger issue: without a strong electoral mandate, stable governance in France remains elusive.

Now, all eyes are on President Macron’s next move. Will he opt for early elections to seek a fresh mandate, or attempt to form yet another government with limited support?