PARIS: French President Emmanuel Macron is facing mounting pressure — even from within his own political circle — to resolve the country’s deepening political stalemate, after his former prime minister and long-time ally publicly urged him to resign for the good of the nation.
The crisis erupted following the surprise resignation of Prime Minister Sebastien Lecornu on Monday, Macron’s seventh head of government since taking office in 2017. Lecornu’s departure has plunged France into renewed political uncertainty, highlighting the fragility of Macron’s centrist coalition and the growing difficulty of maintaining a functional majority in parliament.
Macron has given Lecornu until Wednesday evening to broker a viable compromise that could lead to a stable coalition government. However, political observers in Paris say the chances of success are slim, with deep divisions among parties and a loss of confidence in Macron’s leadership. If these negotiations fail, Macron may be forced to dissolve the National Assembly and call snap legislative elections in a bid to regain control of the political agenda.
On Tuesday evening, Macron held back-to-back meetings with the speakers of both the National Assembly and the Senate, though the Élysée Palace did not specify the purpose of these talks. French law requires the president to consult both parliamentary leaders before calling new elections, fueling speculation that Macron could be preparing to take that step.
Inside Macron’s camp, frustration has been mounting after a string of government reshuffles failed to restore stability. The president has already cycled through three prime ministers in the past year, reflecting the volatility of France’s political landscape. Critics accuse Macron of being increasingly detached from parliament and unable to manage alliances with either the left or right blocs.
The most explosive challenge came from Edouard Philippe, who served as Macron’s prime minister from 2017 to 2020 and remains one of France’s most influential conservative figures. In remarks described by Le Parisien as a “political bomb,” Philippe said that Macron should step down after the passage of the national budget and call early presidential elections.
“The country needs clarity and new leadership,” Philippe reportedly said, warning that prolonged political paralysis could deepen France’s economic and social troubles. His comments have intensified speculation about a potential early presidential contest, which could reshape France’s political future.
The next presidential elections are scheduled for 2027, when Macron will be constitutionally barred from seeking a third term. Philippe, already declared as a candidate, is expected to be a major contender against far-right leader Marine Le Pen, who currently leads opinion polls and sees the unfolding crisis as her best opportunity yet to seize power.
For now, Macron faces the toughest political test of his presidency: balancing a fractured parliament, appeasing restless allies, and preventing a power vacuum that could accelerate the far right’s rise ahead of 2027.
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