Macron Rejects Resignation Calls Amidst French Political Crisis, Blames Opposition for Instability

Macron Affirms Commitment Amidst Turmoil

French President Emmanuel Macron, speaking from Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt, on Monday, October 13, 2025, firmly rejected mounting calls for his resignation, vowing to serve his full term until April 2027. Macron attributed France's profound political crisis to the actions of opposition parties, accusing them of fueling instability and prioritizing partisan interests over national unity. His remarks came as his newly reappointed Prime Minister, Sébastien Lecornu, faces imminent no-confidence motions in the National Assembly.

Deepening Political Instability in France

France has been embroiled in its most severe political crisis in decades, a situation exacerbated by President Macron's decision to call snap legislative elections in June 2024. This gamble resulted in a hung parliament, with power fragmented among three major blocs: the left-wing New Popular Front, Macron's centrist Ensemble alliance, and the far-right National Rally. This lack of a clear majority has led to unprecedented instability, with France seeing multiple minority governments and prime ministers in quick succession.

The political turbulence has seen the collapse of governments led by Michel Barnier and François Bayrou, primarily over budgetary disputes. Most recently, Sébastien Lecornu was reappointed as Prime Minister after his initial government resigned, making him the shortest-serving Prime Minister in the history of the Fifth Republic during his first brief tenure. The ongoing gridlock has unnerved investors and stalled efforts to address France's significant public debt, which stands at 114% of GDP.

Macron's Stance and Accusations

President Macron was unequivocal in his refusal to step down, stating, 'Never forget that the mandate the French people give their president is to serve, serve, and serve again, and to answer the questions that concern the French in their daily lives. That's the only thing that matters. The rest is the government's job.' He further emphasized his role as a guarantor of institutions, asserting, 'I will continue to ensure stability.'

Macron directly blamed rival 'political forces' for the current 'chaos,' accusing them of 'instigating the destabilisation' of his government. He specifically pointed to the hard-left France Unbowed (LFI) and the far-right National Rally (RN) for their role in voting down previous governments and creating disorder. 'Many of those who have fuelled division and speculation have not risen to the moment,' Macron remarked, suggesting that opposition leaders are driven by presidential ambitions for 2027.

Opposition Demands and Economic Pressures

In response to the ongoing crisis, opposition parties have intensified their calls for either Macron's resignation or new legislative elections. Both the France Unbowed (LFI) and the National Rally (RN) have filed no-confidence motions against Prime Minister Lecornu's new cabinet, which are expected to be voted on this week. The survival of the government may depend on the support of the Socialist Party, which has demanded concessions such as the repeal of pension reforms and the reintroduction of a wealth tax.

The newly formed government faces the urgent task of presenting a 2026 draft budget amidst France's economic challenges and pressure from the European Union to curb its deficit. Previous prime ministers have been ousted over proposed budget measures, highlighting the difficulty of securing parliamentary approval in the fragmented legislature.

As France navigates this period of unprecedented political and economic uncertainty, President Macron remains steadfast in his commitment to lead the country, despite the persistent calls for his departure and the deep divisions within the National Assembly.