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.
Long-time ally Édouard Philippe, who served as Macron's first prime minister from 2017-20, has urged him to appoint a technocrat prime minister and call presidential elections in an orderly manner.
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. Lecornu's resignation was part of a series of upheavals tied to Macron's earlier decision to call a snap parliamentary election, resulting in a hung parliament and the loss of his centrist party's majority.
The challenge of managing France's crippling national debt also looms heavily over the current government. France's public debt stands at a staggering €3,345 billion, amounting to almost 114% of its GDP—it ranks as the third highest in the eurozone.
As debates continue, Lecornu is reportedly working towards presenting a platform of action and stability to Macron. The options ahead are uncertain: a new coalition government, early elections, or even a limited compromise on the budget could shape the political future in France.
Macron remains in a lonely position as he reflects on the difficult choices ahead, compounded by the defection of former allies. As the pressure mounts, he must act swiftly to stabilize an increasingly fractured political landscape.
