Emmanuel Macron is expected to name a new prime minister by Friday evening, according to the Élysée Palace, as France grapples with yet another episode of political instability. The president’s office suggested that the new appointee — the sixth in less than two years — will be tasked with steering a difficult budget through a deeply divided parliament. Government spokesperson Aurore Bergé described the current situation as “the last chance” for politicians to restore public trust, warning that continued dysfunction would only strengthen the far right’s chances of seizing power.
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France’s political crisis escalated after Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu resigned following just 27 days in office. Macron has since asked him to remain temporarily to oversee final negotiations with party leaders in an effort to avoid snap elections or a presidential resignation. Lecornu told France 2 that he remained “cautiously optimistic” about forming a governing majority, even as he admitted the challenge would be considerable. France has been locked in parliamentary gridlock since the 2024 elections, which produced three roughly equal blocs — the left, the far right, and Macron’s centrist alliance — leaving the government unable to pass key legislation.
The divisions have intensified amid mounting concerns over France’s ballooning budget deficit, expected to exceed 5.5% of GDP this year, and growing manoeuvring ahead of the 2027 presidential election. Some analysts believe Macron may need to appoint a prime minister from the moderate left to stabilise the political landscape, though doing so could mean compromising on flagship policies such as the controversial 2023 pension reform, which raised the retirement age to 64. Green leader Marine Tondelier said France had “never been closer” to having a leftwing prime minister, while Socialist figures indicated they would support a minority government if the pension changes were reconsidered.
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Despite increasing speculation and pressure from both allies and opponents, Macron has insisted he will not resign before his mandate ends in 2027. However, his position has weakened as former prime ministers Édouard Philippe and Gabriel Attal publicly distanced themselves from him. Calling fresh legislative elections remains a risky option, with polls suggesting it would likely produce another fragmented parliament or deliver power to the far right. For now, Macron’s next appointment could determine whether his presidency regains stability — or slides further into political paralysis.
