Sébastien Lecornu Resigns After 27 Days as France's Shortest-Serving Prime Minister

Sébastien Lecornu became the shortest-serving Prime Minister in France's Fifth Republic, resigning just 27 days after taking office amid a deeply divided parliament and dwindling support for President Emmanuel Macron. Despite his reputation as a skilled negotiator and loyalty to Macron, Lecornu struggled to govern a minority government facing hostility from both the left and right, leading to his resignation. His political career, marked by early ambition and rapid rise through local and national politics, culminated in his appointment as Prime Minister following three years as defence minister during the Ukraine conflict. France has a history of brief political tenures, with Lecornu's 27-day term shorter than that of his predecessor Michel Barnier and reminiscent of much shorter mandates in French history and worldwide, such as Mexico's Pedro Lascuráin, who was president for only 45 minutes. Lecornu's resignation underscores the ongoing political instability in France, reflecting challenges faced by Macron's presidency in maintaining control and governance amid parliamentary deadlock. This turbulent period highlights the broader theme of short-lived political careers in various countries, illustrating how fragile leadership tenures can be under certain political conditions.