Time Running Out for Macron: France Faces Political Upheaval

Fri Oct 10 2025 22:31:13 GMT+0300 (Eastern European Summer Time)

As Emmanuel Macron's presidency faces mounting pressure amidst a deepening political crisis, calls for his resignation grow. The sudden resignation of his third prime minister this year amplifies uncertainty over France's governance and future.

Emmanuel Macron, once dubbed 'master of clocks,' confronts a precarious political landscape in France after his third prime minister resigned in a year. Public opinion suggests significant discontent with his leadership, while allies call for drastic reforms and new elections amidst a severe national debt crisis. With only 18 months left in his presidency, the options for stabilizing the French government seem grim.

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.

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 role. Hours later, he said he had accepted Macron's request to stay on for another 48 hours 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, where Macron's centrist partners lost their majority and had to seek alliances with other parties.

The leader of one of those parties, Bruno Retailleau of the conservative Republicans, pulled out of Lecornu's government 14 hours after it was announced.

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, which stood at €3,345 billion, or almost 114% of GDP, the third highest in the eurozone. Critics have emerged from all sides as politicians scramble to address the budget deficit projected to hit 5.4% of GDP this year.

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. Four options lie ahead, none of which promise a positive outcome for the current political climate in France.

Has Macron run out of road?

After his third prime minister in a year announced his resignation on Monday, Macron was seen walking along the River Seine, signaling the isolating weight of his presidency amidst mounting political tensions. As calls for his resignation swell, the potential for compromise and collaboration in parliament seems increasingly slim.