‘President of the rich’ under strain as France lurches from crisis to crisis

On October 16, French Prime Minister Sebastien Lecornu narrowly survived two no-confidence votes in the National Assembly, averting an immediate government collapse and providing a temporary reprieve in France’s ongoing political crisis.

The motions, tabled by the far-left La France Insoumise (LFI) and the far-right National Rally (RN), garnered 271 and 197 votes respectively, falling 18 votes short of the 289 needed to topple the administration. This outcome, while a win for Mr. Lecornu and President Emmanuel Macron, underscores the fragility of their minority government amid a deeply divided Parliament.

Mr. Lecornu’s survival hinged on tactical concessions, including the suspension of Mr. Macron’s controversial pension reform and pledging not to invoke Article 49.3 — a constitutional tool allowing Bills to pass without a vote, often decried as undemocratic. The win was made possible largely by the Socialist Party’s abstention, secured through Prime Minister Lecornu’s decision to freeze the pension reform. Although an uneasy truce, it allowed the government to stand united, if only briefly, amid France’s deepening political chaos.

The roots of France’s political turmoil trace back to June 2024, when Mr. Macron — reeling from a humiliating defeat to Marine Le Pen’s RN in the European Parliament election — called snap legislative election in a bid to regain control. No single bloc secured an absolute majority in the 577-seat National Assembly. The left-wing New Popular Front (NFP) alliance emerged as the largest group with around 180 seats, followed by Mr. Macron’s centrist Ensemble coalition with 163 seats, and Ms. Le Pen’s RN with 143. The rest were divided among smaller centrist and conservative parties. This hung the Parliament and triggered a series of short-lived governments, each felled by no-confidence threats or resignations.

Macron’s second term

Mr. Macron’s second term, which began in 2022, has been marred by successive crises. His 2023 pension reform, raising the retirement age from 62 to 64, provoked months of nationwide strikes and protests. The measure, pushed through using Article 49.3, became a symbol of executive arrogance and democratic bypass. Since 2022, five Prime Ministers have cycled through Matignon — each undone by coalition fractures, Budget disputes, and the threat of no-confidence votes. This instability has eroded public trust and made France’s governance appear dysfunctional by European standards.

Meanwhile, economic anxiety has deepened the malaise. Data from Statista show that public debt has reached 114% of GDP, breaching EU fiscal targets. Ifop’s popularity indexes show only 19% of people say that they are satisfied with Mr. Macron’s performance as President. This is the lowest satisfaction level recorded since the start of his term in 2017. Once hailed as Europe’s pragmatic reformer, Mr. Macron has locked himself into the image of the “President of the rich”. Above all, he faces accusations of economic mismanagement and political hubris.

The immediate trigger for the October crisis was the chaotic appointment of Mr. Lecornu following the resignation of Francois Bayrou in September. Mr. Bayrou, a veteran centrist and former ally of Mr. Macron, quit after failing to form a government capable of passing the 2026 Budget. Facing an October 15 deadline to present fiscal plans to the EU, Mr. Macron turned to Mr. Lecornu — his loyal Defence Minister and trusted ally.

Mr. Lecornu’s initial days in office, however, were chaotic. The 39-year-old was brought in on September 9 to restore order. His task was to steady a presidency losing its grip. But his government barely lasted four weeks as he resigned on October 6, just 26 days into his new role, only to be reappointed four days later. This episode, widely ridiculed as political theatre, further eroded confidence. Ms. Le Pen called the political drama as “the end of the joke”, demanding a dissolution of the National Assembly. Outgoing Minister Agnes Pannier-Runacher slammed the “circus” of French politics, while Socialist MP Arthur Delaporte declared: “Macronism is plunging the country into chaos.”

When Mr. Lecornu presented his austerity-laden Budget proposal, Opposition parties seized the moment. LFI’s motion condemned cuts to social spending as an attack on workers, while RN’s motion attacked the government’s “disorder” and immigration policies. Both failed, but the debates exposed the depth of national discontent and the impossibility of stable governance without genuine coalition-building.

Macron’s last loyalist

Mr. Macron’s choice of Mr. Lecornu reflected his preference of loyalty. A former Republican who joined Mr. Macron’s centrist movement in 2017, Mr. Lecornu cultivated a reputation for pragmatism and loyalty. As Minister of the Armed Forces, he managed France’s support for Ukraine and maintained defence readiness amid budgetary constraints.

Politically, Mr. Lecornu’s provincial roots and administrative experience were meant to counter Mr. Macron’s image as an out-of-touch Parisian.

However, critics see the appointment as another sign of Mr. Macron’s insularity. Mr. Lecornu’s brief resignation, followed by his reappointment, reinforced perceptions of dysfunction and indecision. His narrow survival in October underscores how little room for error remains.

Pressures on Macron

Meanwhile, pressures on Mr. Macron’s presidency mounts. Politically, he faces isolation. Some Opposition leaders are urging him to call snap elections or even step down, while key allies such as former Prime Minister Edouard Philippe have publicly distanced themselves from the Elysee. Leaders from RN’s Le Pen to LFI’s Jean-Luc Mélenchon demand systemic change and a “Sixth Republic” to curb presidential power.

Public sentiment is equally hostile. On social media, the phrase “Macron’s chaos” trends, encapsulating widespread frustration with the endless cycle of resignations, crises, and parliamentary deadlock. France’s once-proud self-image as a stable democracy now faces ridicule at home and abroad. Despite calls for his resignation and new elections, Mr. Macron has vowed to serve out his full term.

Speaking from Egypt on October 13 during a Gaza peace summit, Mr. Macron urged “stability over chaos,” accusing rivals of undermining Mr. Lecornu’s first cabinet.

Lecornu’s tightrope walk

For Mr. Lecornu, the path ahead is perilous. His pledge to suspend pension reform may soothe tempers temporarily but risks angering fiscal hawks and EU partners pressing for Budget consolidation. Meanwhile, the looming 2026 Budget negotiations will test his ability to build consensus among ideologically opposed blocs.

Mr. Lecornu’s background in defence and local governance could prove an asset in crisis management, yet legislative gridlock remains his Achilles’ heel. Any misstep could trigger new no-confidence votes or even early elections.

France’s near-term future hinges on whether Mr. Lecornu can navigate between fiscal discipline and social stability. The left demands wealth taxes and expanded social spending; the right insists on austerity and migration curbs. Neither side appears willing to compromise.

If Mr. Lecornu fails to pass the 2026 Budget, France could face automatic spending rollovers, EU fines, or even credit downgrades. Protests could reignite as living costs rise and unemployment persists. Meanwhile, Mr. Macron’s shrinking influence within the EU threatens France’s leadership role in Europe. Without renewed legitimacy, either through a functioning coalition or fresh elections, France risks sliding deeper into governability crisis.

Published – October 22, 2025 01:22 pm IST