Rejection and Resignation: The Two Words That Define French Politics Today

Rejection and resignation have become the two words that best define the state of French politics, a reality starkly illustrated by the downfall of Prime Minister Sebastien Lecornu. His government was instantly rejected by the political establishment, leading to his inevitable resignation just hours later.
The cycle began with rejection. The moment Lecornu’s “largely unchanged” cabinet was made public, it was met with a wall of political hostility. The opposition immediately and unequivocally rejected its legitimacy. This was not a critique of policy, but a fundamental rejection of the government’s right to rule.
This act of total rejection left no room for negotiation or compromise. It created an environment where the only possible outcome was the government’s collapse. The pressure mounted with incredible speed, fueled by political leaders and media commentary that painted the new administration as a failure from its very inception.
Faced with this universal rejection, Lecornu’s only option was resignation. To remain in his post would have been to preside over a phantom government with no authority and no hope of passing legislation. His decision to step down was a pragmatic acknowledgement that his premiership had been rendered impossible.
This toxic cycle of rejection and resignation is paralyzing the nation. It has claimed three prime ministers and prevented any meaningful progress on critical issues like the national debt. Until the political class can move beyond this destructive pattern, France will remain trapped in a state of perpetual crisis, defined by these two dispiriting words.