France Faces Political Turmoil: Will Macron Survive Another Crisis?

Tue Oct 21 2025 04:35:45 GMT+0300 (Eastern European Summer Time)

As President Macron’s leadership is increasingly questioned following the resignation of a third prime minister this year, France stands on the brink of political upheaval. What are the implications for the presidency and the nation’s future?

President Emmanuel Macron's leadership is challenged as he navigates a political crisis marked by the recent resignation of Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu. The situation puts Macron's position under pressure, with calls for early elections and dissatisfaction among a majority of voters. The urgency of addressing national debt further complicates the political landscape, fueling uncertainty about the future.

After eight years in office, Emmanuel Macron's position as president is coming under increasing pressure as France's political crisis escalates.

Macron once called himself maître des horloges - master of the clocks - but his command of timing is not what it was. For the third time in a year his choice of prime minister has resigned, and opinion polls suggest almost three-quarters of voters think the president should step down too.

Macron has repeatedly said he will not leave office early, and France is now waiting to find out if a new government can be formed, or if he has to dissolve parliament.

How did we get here?

Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu announced his resignation at the start of a day of political drama on Monday, after only 26 days in the job. Hours later he said he had accepted Macron's request to stay on for another 48 hours - until the end of Wednesday - to hold last-ditch talks with political parties for the stability of the country.

The unexpected twists were the latest in a long series of upheavals that began with Emmanuel Macron's decision to call a snap parliamentary election in June 2024. The result was a hung parliament in which Macron's centrist partners lost their majority and had to seek alliances with other parties.

It's all about France's debt

The big challenge facing Lecornu and his two predecessors has been how to tackle France's crippling national debt and get over the ideological divisions between the centre-ground parties who could be part of a government. Early this year public debt stood at €3.4tn (£2.9tn), or almost 114% of economic output (GDP), the third highest in the eurozone after Greece and Italy. France's budget deficit this year is projected to hit 5.4% of GDP.

What happens now?

Lecornu has been deep in discussions with party representatives and has until Wednesday evening to present a platform of action and stability to Macron. If Lecornu fails, the Elysee has indicated that Macron would take responsibility, likely leading to fresh parliamentary elections that could favor the hard-right in France.

Who are the key figures in this crisis?

The leaders calling on Macron to resign include those from hard right and radical left factions, highlighting a divided political landscape. While Macron struggles to maintain his position, discontent among the electorate grows.

Has Macron run out of road?

Following this latest resignation, Macron reflects on his path forward. The combination of political instability and looming economic challenges signals that the president's grip on power may be slipping.