France’s escalating political crisis took a dramatic turn on Tuesday after former Prime Minister Edouard Philippe publicly urged President Emmanuel Macron to resign, in what local media described as a “political bomb” shaking the heart of the French establishment.
Philippe, Macron’s first and longest-serving prime minister from 2017 to 2020, said the president must “help France emerge in an orderly and dignified manner from a political crisis that is harming the country.”
His call followed the resignation of Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu, who stepped down barely a month into office after failing to unite the fractured centre-right coalition.
Lecornu’s exit underscores Macron’s deepening domestic troubles, which stem from his ill-fated decision to call snap legislative elections in mid-2024, a gamble that ended in a hung parliament and an emboldened far right.
Philippe, now leader of his own centre-right party and a declared presidential hopeful for 2027, said France needed a fresh start after years of political stalemate. “He must take the decision that is worthy of his function, which is to guarantee the continuity of the institutions by leaving in an orderly manner,” Philippe told RTL radio, adding that elections should be held early once a national budget is passed.
The comments landed amid rare open dissent within Macron’s camp. “I no longer understand the president’s decisions,” said Gabriel Attal, the former prime minister and current head of Macron’s Renaissance party, in an interview with TF1. Attal lamented what he described as Macron’s “determination to keep control,” arguing that “after a succession of new premiers, it is time to try something else.”
The French president, who cannot seek a third term under the constitution, is now politically cornered. Macron was filmed Monday walking alone by the Seine, deep in thought on a phone call, an image that contrasted sharply with his once commanding international stature. French newspaper Le Monde described the situation as “yet another demonstration of the unravelling” of Macron’s second mandate, calling it the biggest domestic challenge of his eight-year presidency.
On the global stage, Macron continues to wield influence as he seeks to end Russia’s war in Ukraine alongside U.S. President Donald Trump. Yet at home, his power is fading as political allies turn restive and voters lean toward Marine Le Pen’s far-right National Rally. The next presidential election, set for 2027, is viewed as a historic crossroads, with the far right sensing its strongest chance yet to take power.
Le Pen, despite facing a fraud conviction that could disqualify her from running, said Macron’s resignation would be “wise” and reiterated her demand for immediate legislative elections. Her lieutenant, Jordan Bardella, widely expected to run if she cannot, joined her in rejecting Lecornu’s invitation for talks, saying “these umpteenth negotiations no longer aim to protect the interests of the French people, but those of the president himself.”
Meanwhile, Socialist Party leader Olivier Faure called for “a change of course” with a left-leaning government, while right-wing Republican leader Bruno Retailleau said his faction might stay in government only if their influence was not diminished. Lecornu has since resumed talks with party leaders in an effort to break the impasse, but progress appears minimal.
France’s next leader will inherit a nation grappling with record public debt and a looming austerity budget. The political vacuum has left investors uneasy and citizens weary of what Philippe condemned as a “distressing political game.” Macron, facing his eighth potential prime minister in as many years, must now decide whether to persist with fragile alliances or heed calls for early elections.
For Philippe, resignation is not merely a political gesture but a constitutional safeguard. “It is up to the president to take the decision that is worthy of his function,” he said, framing his plea as one of national preservation rather than personal rivalry. Whether Macron steps aside or digs in could determine not just his legacy, but the shape of France’s democracy in a rapidly shifting European political landscape.
