Former French Prime Minister Edouard Philippe has called on President Emmanuel Macron to resign, in a dramatic intervention that has intensified France’s escalating political crisis.
Philippe, who served as Macron’s prime minister from 2017 to 2020 and now leads an allied party, made the surprise statement on Tuesday amid rising frustration within the president’s camp.
His comments follow the resignation of Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu on Monday, less than a month after his appointment. Lecornu stepped down after failing to unite Macron’s fragile centre-right coalition, which lacks a parliamentary majority.
Macron had instructed Lecornu to make a final attempt to build a coalition government, but talks stalled as the far right refused to participate.
France has been in political turmoil since Macron’s snap legislative elections in the summer of 2024 resulted in a hung parliament and strengthened Marine Le Pen’s far-right National Rally party.
According to AFP, Philippe told RTL radio that Macron should “take the decision that is worthy of his function” and step down to allow France to “emerge in an orderly and dignified manner from a political crisis that is harming the country.”
He argued that early presidential elections should be held once the national budget is passed.
Macron, now in his second term, is barred from seeking re-election in 2027. That vote is seen as a crucial turning point for French politics, with the far right sensing its best opportunity yet to gain power.
The president’s domestic isolation contrasts sharply with his prominent role on the international stage, where he is working with US President Donald Trump to help end Russia’s war in Ukraine.