A crisis that defies the usual political script
France is witnessing a political crisis that’s unfolding differently from previous confrontations. This time, the disorder within Emmanuel Macron’s camp is partly driven by allies who helped bring him to power, not by the opposition. The resignation of Prime Minister Sebastien Lecornu highlighted a fissure on the president’s side, signaling a broader erosion of support inside the ruling circle and a potential rethink of Macron’s strategy amid a stubborn deadlock in the National Assembly.
What makes this moment distinct is the speed and breadth of the dissent. In a matter of days, several former close associates have voiced dissatisfaction with the way the government is managing stalemate and continuity. The chorus from within the political family is complicating Macron’s ability to govern and raising questions about who, if anyone, can salvage a functioning majority.
Ally after ally: the most vocal critics
Gabriel Attal, once Macron’s prized protégé and the youngest prime minister in modern French history, publicly questioned the president’s decisions. On television, Attal said that “like many French, I no longer understand the president’s decisions,” accusing Macron of displaying a relentless urge to control events. His remarks underscored a widening gap between a leader who seeks to chart a decisive course and a political base that has become wary of the approach.
Edouard Philippe, Macron’s first prime minister during the initial term, followed with a striking call for an early presidential election. He warned of a “woeful political game” and a crisis that “worries and dismays” citizens, saying the current situation cannot be allowed to drag on for another 18 months. Philippe framed the crisis as more than a parliamentary tangle—an existential challenge to the state’s ability to function with legitimacy.
Another former prime minister adds weight
Elisabeth Borne, who led the government from May 2022 to January 2024, joined the chorus by offering a provocative potential solution: the suspension of the controversial pension reform. The reform, which aimed to raise the minimum retirement age from 62 to 64, has continued to generate protests and political pressure even after its formal adoption. Borne’s suggestion points to a possible opening for negotiating with opposition groups, notably the Socialist Party, to avert a dissolution of parliament. Yet undoing such a symbolically entrenched policy would carry its own risks and misgivings for Macron’s legacy.
What this means for the path forward
The idea of pausing or revising the pension reform could become a critical pivot if it helps to bridge gaps between the government and key parliamentary players. A suspension might offer room for dialogue and compromise, potentially reducing the immediate threat of a dissolution that could topple Macron’s coalition. But any move that appears to retreat from a flagship reform risks blunting the president’s political authority and inviting further scrutiny from both opponents and within the centrist ranks.
Analysts say the current crisis exposes a deeper strain on Macron’s governance model: a leadership style that relies on rapid decision-making and a tight control of the agenda, paired with a coalition that has shown fragility in the face of long, protracted legislative battles. The coming weeks will test whether the government can reassemble a credible majority or whether the internal dissent will accelerate a broader realignment in French politics.
Implications for Macron’s legacy
Ultimately, how Macron responds could define his legacy. If the government negotiates a way out that addresses core concerns while preserving essential reforms, he could stabilise a precarious situation. If not, the orbit of his presidency could shift toward a more symbolic leadership, with real power resting in a process of political negotiation, not unilateral decisions. For citizens, the defining question remains: can France progress through a period of disruption without undermining trust in its institutions?
