France’s political crisis takes a new turn as Macron faces a defection wave
France is witnessing a rare twist in its chronic political impasse. After Prime Minister Sebastien Lecornu’s resignation, the fault lines within Emmanuel Macron’s camp have widened in ways that distinguish this crisis from previous episodes. This time, it is not the opposition alone driving the pressure; key allies and former aides are actively joining the chorus challenging the government’s strategy.
The latest phase in this unfolding drama has seen former prime ministers publicly critiquing Macron’s handling of the deadlock in the National Assembly. The most prominent voice comes from Gabriel Attal, once a close associate and the youngest prime minister in early 2024. Attal’s remarks on television—arguing that many French people no longer understand the president’s decisions and accusing Macron of a relentless grip on control—mark a sharp shift in internal dynamics and signal a broader erosion of trust within the governing circle.
Surprising critiques from close insiders
Attal’s public distancing is significant because it reflects a wider trend among Macron’s allies, many of whom had previously supported his reform agenda. With a snap election decision in June 2024, Macron blindsided even some of his closest collaborators. Since then, several former allies have recalibrated their stance, raising questions about the cohesion and viability of Macron’s centrist alliance as it confronts opposition fragmentation and persistent parliamentary deadlock.
On Tuesday, Edouard Philippe—Macron’s first prime minister during his initial three-year term—took the unusual step of urging an early presidential election. Philippe labeled the current period a “woeful political game” and warned that the crisis risks turning into a deeper national unease if not resolved swiftly. He argued that the country cannot tolerate further delays, framing the crisis as a broader failure of state governance rather than a mere tableau of political posturing.
The role of Elisabeth Borne and the pension reform debate
Elisabeth Borne, who led the government from May 2022 to January 2024, followed with a suggestion that could recalibrate the political landscape: the possibility of suspending the contentious pension reform. The reform—raising the minimum retirement age from 62 to 64—has lingered as a symbolic flashpoint, provoking protests and political pressure across the spectrum. While the reform itself remains technically in force, a suspension or renegotiation could open room for cross-party negotiations, potentially stabilizing the alliance before Parliament faces dissolution.
The pension reform’s symbolism makes any move to pause it more than merely tactical; it would be interpreted as a meaningful concession to opposition forces, including the Socialist Party, and could alter the calculus of Macron’s broader reform agenda. For Macron, the challenge is balancing a fragile coalition while addressing a public sphere fatigued by repeated crises and political theater.
Implications for Macron’s legacy and France’s institutions
The current trajectory—where close allies criticize leadership and advocate for a referendum or early elections—poses a fundamental question: can Macron reconcile the divide without triggering a broader institutional crisis? Analysts warn that the destruction of a coherent governing majority could embolden both the left and far-right to press for reforms that redefine France’s political center, or worse, provoke a constitutional confrontation that undermines faith in political institutions.
Historically, Macron’s presidency has sought to push through a reformist agenda at speed. The accumulating criticism from inside his camp risks eroding his ability to project steady leadership, potentially reshaping the 2025 political landscape. Whether a compromise, a pause in the pension reform, or an early electoral decision can restore balance remains a central question for French voters and policymakers alike.
