Time Running Out for Macron: France Faces Political Uncertainty

Sat Oct 11 2025 03:55:56 GMT+0300 (Eastern European Summer Time)

As France's political crisis escalates, President Emmanuel Macron confronts mounting pressure with dwindling support and leadership challenges. This article explores the implications of recent resignations and public sentiment amid a precarious governmental landscape.

After nearly eight years in power, Emmanuel Macron's hold on the presidency is weakening as he faces increasing public discontent and a series of resignations from his cabinet. With nearly three-quarters of voters calling for his resignation, the political crisis intensifies as leaders debate the future direction of France, especially regarding its crippling national debt. The article examines the political maneuvers and key figures influencing Macron's presidency as he grapples with unprecedented challenges.

After eight years in office, Emmanuel Macron's position as president is coming under increasing pressure as France's political crisis escalates.

Macron once called himself maître des horloges - master of the clocks - but his command of timing is not what it was. For the third time in a year his choice of prime minister has resigned, and opinion polls suggest almost three-quarters of voters think the president should step down too.

Long-time ally Édouard Philippe, who served as Macron's first prime minister from 2017-20, has urged him to appoint a technocrat prime minister and call presidential elections in an orderly manner.

How did we get here?

Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu announced his resignation at the start of a day of political drama on Monday, after only 26 days in the job. Hours later he said he had accepted Macron's request to stay on for another 48 hours to hold last-ditch talks with political parties for the stability of the country.

The unexpected twists were the latest in a long series of upheavals that began with Emmanuel Macron's decision to call a snap parliamentary election in June 2024. The result was a hung parliament in which Macron's centrist partners lost their majority and had to seek alliances with other parties.

It's all about France's debt

The big challenge facing Lecornu and his two predecessors has been how to tackle France's crippling national debt and get over the ideological divisions between the centre-ground parties who could be part of a government.

Early this year public debt stood at €3,345 billion, or almost 114% of economic output (GDP), the third highest in the eurozone after Greece and Italy. France's budget deficit this year is projected to hit 5.4% of GDP.

Who are the key figures in this crisis?

The leaders who have been calling on Macron to resign for months are on the hard right and radical left, with Marine Le Pen and Jean-Luc Mélenchon at the forefront of opposition efforts, hinting at an unstable political future.

What happens now?

Lecornu has been deep in discussions with party representatives and must present a platform of action and stability to Macron shortly. Depending on the outcomes of these negotiations, Macron may have to consider forming a new government or face imminent elections that could reshape France's political landscape.

Has Macron run out of road?

After his third prime minister in the past year announced his resignation, Macron found himself confronted by daunting decisions as he attempts to stabilize an increasingly chaotic political environment.