Sébastien Lecornu became France’s shortest-serving prime minister in modern history when he resigned just 27 days after his appointment. Hours after announcing his cabinet, he stepped down — only to be reappointed by President Emmanuel Macron four days later. This article answers the key questions about who he is, why he resigned, and what happens next.
Who is the current Prime Minister of France?
The current Prime Minister of France is Sébastien Lecornu, who was initially appointed on September 9, 2025, resigned on October 6, 2025, and was reappointed by President Emmanuel Macron on October 10, 2025. He is the seventh prime minister to serve under Macron since 2017.
Key insights about Sébastien Lecornu
- Lecornu served as Minister of the Armed Forces from 2022 to 2025 before becoming prime minister.
- He was 39 years old when he took office, making him the youngest prime minister in the modern Fifth Republic era.
- His first government lasted only 27 days — the shortest in Fifth Republic history.
- He was reappointed just four days after resigning, a rare move by Macron to restore stability.
- Lecornu has survived two no-confidence votes as of early 2026, one from the far-right National Rally and one from the radical left La France Insoumise.
- Prior to his premiership, he held roles as Minister for Local Authorities (until 2020) and Minister for Overseas Territories (2020–2022).
- He has been part of Macron’s political movement since 2017 and was a key figure during the 2019 Great Debate following the Yellow Vest protests.
Snapshot facts: France PM
| Office | Incumbent | Age | Party | Appointed | Resigned | Reappointed |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Prime Minister of France | Sébastien Lecornu | 39 (born 1986) | Renaissance (centrist) | September 9, 2025 | October 6, 2025 | October 10, 2025 |
Did France PM resign? Why?
Yes, Sébastien Lecornu resigned on October 6, 2025, after just 27 days in office. His resignation came only 14 hours after he announced his 18-member cabinet on the evening of October 5. Lecornu stated that consensus on the budget draft had failed, according to reports from Le Monde.
The collapse of his government was driven by several factors. France has been in a political deadlock since June 2024, when Macron’s snap elections resulted in a hung parliament with no single party holding a majority. The far-right National Rally emerged as a powerful bloc, making it difficult to pass legislation. According to Al Jazeera, Lecornu’s proposed cabinet list was criticized by both right and left factions for including too many familiar faces from the prior Bayrou administration and lacking political diversity.
Why his cabinet failed
The budget crisis was the immediate trigger. Lecornu’s government collapsed due to the inability to pass the 2026 budget amid a deepening debt crisis and a divided parliament. The cabinet composition itself became a flashpoint: his proposed list of ministers was rejected by opposition parties for recycling figures from François Bayrou’s former government.
France has been in a standstill since June 2024, when Macron’s snap elections aimed at consolidating power resulted in a hung parliament. The National Assembly is now split among three blocs: the left-wing NFP, Macron’s centrist alliance, and the far-right National Rally. No party holds a majority, making budget approval and governance extremely difficult.
Reappointment and aftermath
President Macron accepted Lecornu’s resignation on October 6, but just four days later, on October 10, he reappointed him to form a new government and resolve the political impasse. According to NPR, Macron sees Lecornu’s reappointment as his final chance to rejuvenate his second term, which runs until 2027. Critics argue that Macron should call snap parliamentary elections or resign, but the president has so far resisted those calls.
What is the relationship between the France PM and the President?
In France’s semi-presidential system, the prime minister is not the same person as the president. Emmanuel Macron is the President of France, while Sébastien Lecornu serves as prime minister. The president appoints the prime minister, who must then form a government that can command the confidence of the National Assembly.
The division of power means the president sets foreign policy and defense strategy, while the prime minister manages day-to-day governance, domestic policy, and is accountable to parliament. In practice, when the president’s party holds a majority in the assembly, the prime minister is typically a close ally. This has been the case under Macron, who has now appointed seven prime ministers since 2017.
According to Sky News, the revolving door of prime ministers reflects the fragmentation of France’s parliament. Macron’s snap election in June 2024 was intended to consolidate power but instead produced a hung parliament, leading to three different prime ministers in under a year: Gabriel Attal, François Bayrou, and Sébastien Lecornu.
Many readers mistakenly believe the France PM is the same as the president. Emmanuel Macron is the president; he appoints the prime minister, who is a separate official. The current prime minister is Sébastien Lecornu, not Macron.
Who were the previous prime ministers of France under Macron?
Since taking office in 2017, Emmanuel Macron has appointed seven prime ministers. The table below lists them chronologically, with their terms and key notes.
| Prime Minister | Term Start | Term End | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Édouard Philippe | 2017 | 2020 | Longest-serving under Macron |
| Jean Castex | 2020 | 2022 | Appointed during the pandemic |
| Élisabeth Borne | 2022 | 2024 | First female PM under Macron; resigned after pension reform protests |
| Gabriel Attal | June 2024 | September 2024 | First openly gay PM; youngest ever at age 34 |
| François Bayrou | September 2024 | September 2025 | Resigned amid budget crisis |
| Sébastien Lecornu (1st term) | September 9, 2025 | October 6, 2025 | Shortest-lived government (27 days) |
| Sébastien Lecornu (2nd term) | October 10, 2025 | Present | Reappointed to stabilize politics |
Timeline: Key events in Lecornu’s premiership
- September 9, 2025: Sébastien Lecornu is appointed prime minister after the fall of François Bayrou’s government. His mission: re-establish political and institutional stability.
- October 5, 2025 (evening): Lecornu announces his 18-member cabinet. It faces immediate criticism for including too many familiar faces from Bayrou’s administration.
- October 6, 2025 (morning): Lecornu submits his resignation, just 14 hours after the cabinet announcement, stating that consensus on the budget draft had failed.
- October 6, 2025: Macron accepts the resignation. Lecornu becomes the shortest-serving prime minister in Fifth Republic history.
- October 10, 2025: Macron reappoints Lecornu as prime minister to form a new government and resolve the political impasse.
- Early 2026: Lecornu survives two no-confidence votes — one from the National Rally and one from La France Insoumise.
What is confirmed and what remains unclear?
| Established information | Information that remains unclear |
|---|---|
| Sébastien Lecornu was appointed PM on September 9, 2025, and resigned on October 6, 2025. | The exact reason for resignation beyond budget deadlock (no official detailed statement has been made). |
| He was reappointed by Macron on October 10, 2025, according to multiple news sources including Al Jazeera and BBC. | Whether the reappointment will stabilize the government or lead to further changes in the near future. |
| Lecornu was 39 years old at appointment and served as Minister of the Armed Forces prior. | His wife’s name and profession are not publicly documented in major English-language media reports. He is known to be married, but details remain unpublicized. |
Political context: Why does this matter?
The crisis in France stems from the June 2024 snap elections. Macron called the election hoping to consolidate his majority, but instead it produced a hung parliament with three roughly equal blocs: the left-wing NFP, Macron’s centrist alliance, and the far-right National Rally. Since then, passing a budget or any major legislation has required fragile cross-party agreements that have repeatedly collapsed.
The political instability has angered investors, frustrated voters, and hindered deficit management in Europe’s second-largest economy, according to NPR. Lecornu’s second term is widely seen as Macron’s last opportunity to stabilize the government before his term ends in 2027. If Lecornu fails to pass the 2026 budget or survive a confidence vote, Macron may be forced to dissolve the National Assembly and call new elections — though that option comes with its own risks.
Key quotes from reliable sources
“France is facing further political chaos after the country’s latest prime minister, Sébastien Lecornu, resigned after just 26 days in the role.”
— BBC News
“France’s President Emmanuel Macron has reappointed Sebastien Lecornu as prime minister, days after he stepped down from the same post.”
— Al Jazeera
“Sébastien Lecornu is a French politician who has served as Prime Minister of France since September 2025.”
— Wikipedia
Summary: What you need to know about France’s PM
Sébastien Lecornu, at 39 years old, is France’s shortest-serving prime minister in modern history. He resigned after just 27 days due to a failed budget and a criticized cabinet list, but was reappointed four days later by President Macron to resolve the ongoing political deadlock. His reappointment is widely seen as Macron’s final chance to stabilize the government before the next scheduled elections in 2027. For a detailed account of this unprecedented sequence of events, read Sébastien Lecornu: France’s shortest-serving PM who resigned and was reappointed.
Frequently asked questions
Is France PM Macron?
No. Emmanuel Macron is the President of France. The position of prime minister is separate and is currently held by Sébastien Lecornu.
How old is France PM?
Sébastien Lecornu was born in 1986, making him 39 years old at the time of his appointment in September 2025.
Who is France PM’s wife?
Lecornu is known to be married, but his spouse’s name and profession are not widely documented in major English-language media sources.
Who was the previous prime minister of France?
Before Sébastien Lecornu, the prime minister was François Bayrou, who served from September 2024 to September 2025.
How many prime ministers has Macron had?
Macron has appointed seven prime ministers since taking office in 2017: Philippe, Castex, Borne, Attal, Bayrou, and Lecornu (two terms).
Why did the France PM resign after 26 days?
Lecornu resigned because consensus on the 2026 budget draft had failed and his cabinet list was rejected by opposition parties for lacking diversity.
Was the prime minister reappointed?
Yes. Macron reappointed Lecornu on October 10, 2025, just four days after his resignation.
What happens next for France?
Lecornu must present a new government and face a confidence vote in the National Assembly. If he fails, Macron may dissolve parliament and call snap elections.
Is the France PM the same as the president?
No. In France’s semi-presidential system, the president (Emmanuel Macron) is the head of state, while the prime minister (Sébastien Lecornu) is the head of government.
What party is Lecornu from?
Sébastien Lecornu is a member of the Renaissance party (formerly La République En Marche!), Macron’s centrist political movement.
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Lucy Hartley covers community affairs, civic society, local services and public life for Civic Affairs.