PARIS, France – France was thrown into fresh political turmoil on Monday after Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu abruptly resigned, only 26 days after taking office.
The Elysée Palace confirmed Lecornu’s resignation shortly after he held an hour-long meeting with President Emmanuel Macron in the morning.
Lecornu’s departure comes barely hours after his newly unveiled cabinet drew fierce criticism from opposition parties in the National Assembly, who accused him of retaining most of the ministers from the previous government of François Bayrou.
Several parties had vowed to reject Lecornu’s cabinet in an upcoming confidence vote, setting the stage for a political standoff that could have paralysed Macron’s government.
Lecornu, 38, was appointed in early September after Bayrou’s administration collapsed amid infighting within the centrist coalition.
His resignation marks yet another setback for Macron, who has struggled to maintain stability within his government amid growing public discontent and a fragmented parliament.
The Elysée said a caretaker arrangement would remain in place until a new prime minister is appointed.
This is a developing story. More updates to follow.
