French Political Crisis Intensifies Amid Calls for Macron’s Resignation
France is facing its most turbulent political period since President Emmanuel Macron took office in 2017, with former Prime Minister Edouard Philippe now openly calling for Macron’s resignation. The situation has escalated after the latest resignation of Sebastien Lecornu, marking the fifth prime minister to leave under Macron in just two years. The crisis has been exacerbated by deepening tensions over the government’s efforts to implement a budget aimed at curbing the country’s rising debt.
Philippe, who previously held the position of prime minister from 2017 to 2020, has urged Macron to step down following the budget dispute and suggested that the president should immediately call for an early presidential election. In a statement to French radio station RTL, Philippe emphasized that while he was not advocating for an immediate and abrupt resignation, he believed Macron must take the initiative to address the ongoing crisis.
The political challenges have been further compounded by a series of missteps by the president, including the decision to dissolve the National Assembly in June 2024. This move, which followed a humiliating defeat in the European Parliament elections, backfired and led to a hung parliament, effectively paralyzing much of the country’s legislative work. Philippe criticized this decision as ‘disastrous,’ arguing that it has contributed significantly to the current political instability.
Since taking office, Macron has faced a string of prime minister resignations, with seven ministers stepping down, including Philippe himself during Macron’s pre-election reshuffle in 2020. Following his resignation, Philippe founded his own center-right party and officially launched his candidacy for the 2027 presidential race. The political turmoil has also led to public frustration, with recent polling indicating that over 86% of respondents view the current situation as a ‘sad spectacle’ resulting from the political class’s inability to meet the country’s needs. Meanwhile, 51% of respondents believe Macron’s departure could help ‘unblock’ the political impasse that has gripped the nation.
As the situation continues to evolve, the pressure on Macron to address the growing instability is mounting. With multiple resignations and a fractured parliament, the future of France’s political leadership remains uncertain. The potential for an early presidential election looms large, and the nation awaits further developments in this ongoing crisis.