Overview

• President Emmanuel Macron accepted Sébastien Lecornu’s resignation and asked him to conduct last‑ditch talks through Wednesday, saying he would “take responsibility” if they fail as the government shifts to a caretaker footing.
• The rupture followed a backlash from the Républicains over cabinet picks, notably the move to name Bruno Le Maire as defense minister; hours later Le Maire said he would not take the post and Macron accepted his withdrawal.
• With the National Assembly split into three blocs and Macron’s centrists plus the Républicains holding only about 210 seats of the 289 needed, prospects for a stable majority and a savings budget remain uncertain.
• Opposition leaders on the right and left demanded snap elections and, in some cases, Macron’s resignation; the Assembly’s bureau will consider on Wednesday whether to debate an existing motion to remove the president.
• Financial markets reflected the uncertainty as the CAC 40 closed down about 1.36% and French borrowing costs rose, underscoring pressure to agree on a deficit‑cutting budget amid EU scrutiny and high public debt of roughly €3.3 trillion.