French PM Lecornu Resigns Weeks After Appointment, Deepening Political Crisis

French Prime Minister Sebastien Lecornu resigned just 28 days after his appointment by President Emmanuel Macron, intensifying the ongoing political crisis in France. Lecornu's brief tenure ended shortly after unveiling a new cabinet, which faced immediate backlash from a divided National Assembly, reflecting deep political instability since the 2022 snap parliamentary elections that produced a hung parliament. Macron now confronts limited options, including appointing another prime minister, dissolving parliament for fresh elections, or potentially resigning himself, amid a worsening budget crisis and a volatile political environment. The instability undermines France's governance at a critical time, with the risk of increased influence by the far-right National Rally and continued nationwide protests against austerity measures. Lecornu, initially seen as a steady technocrat, was unable to garner sufficient parliamentary support, illustrating the challenges of leading a minority government in a fractured political landscape. This development raises significant concerns about the future of democratic stability in France, the EU's second-largest economy and a key European ally.