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PARIS, Oct 7, 2025 (BSS/AFP) - Emmanuel Macron's first prime minister on 
Tuesday urged the cornered French head of state to resign in a shock call 
that compounded an escalating political crisis.

The intervention by Edouard Philippe, Macron's longest-serving prime minister 
from 2017 to 2020 and who now heads an allied political party, came as 
frustration grew even within the president's own camp over the biggest 
domestic political crisis of his eight years in office.

Prime Minister Sebastien Lecornu, appointed less than a month ago, stepped 
down on Monday morning after failing to rally support across the centre-right 
coalition for his new government, which is also only supported by a minority 
in parliament.

Macron ordered him to make a last-ditch effort to rally support for a 
coalition government but there was no sign of progress with the far-right 
refusing to even attend a meeting.

France's next presidential elections are scheduled to take place in 2027 and 
are seen as a historic crossroads in French politics, with the French far 
right under Marine Le Pen sensing its best chance yet of taking power.

Macron is constitutionally barred from seeking a third mandate.

Philippe, who has already declared he will stand, said the polls should be 
held early once a budget is passed, in comments Le Parisien daily described 
as "political bomb".

Denouncing a "distressing political game", he said it was up to Macron to 
help France "emerge in an orderly and dignified manner from a political 
crisis that is harming the country".

"He must take the decision that is worthy of his function, which is to 
guarantee the continuity of the institutions by leaving in an orderly 
manner," Philippe told the RTL broadcaster.

- 'No longer understand' -

France has been locked in a political crisis since Macron's gamble to hold 
legislative elections in the summer of 2024 backfired and resulted in a hung 
parliament and a strengthened far right.

In a scathing editorial, the Le Monde daily said the crisis was "yet another 
demonstration of the unravelling" of Macron's second mandate following his 
win in 2022 presidential elections.

"The president finds himself in a major crisis," it said.

The domestic isolation of the president, who was filmed Monday walking alone 
by the banks of the Seine deep in a telephone conversation, contrasts with 
his clout on the international stage where he is seeking to end Russia's war 
on Ukraine alongside President Donald Trump.

Among other options, Macron could reappoint Lecornu, select a person who 
would be the eighth prime minister of his mandate, or hold new legislative 
elections.

Gabriel Attal, whose brief tenure as France's youngest-ever premier was ended 
by Macron's decision to hold the 2024 snap elections, on Monday evening said: 
"I no longer understand the president's decisions".

After a succession of new premiers, it was "time to try something else", 
Attal, who now leads the main pro-Macron party, told the TF1 broadcaster, 
denouncing a "determination to keep control" by Macron.

Attal on Tuesday, however, told his lawmakers that he did not want Macron to 
resign, according to a participant at the meeting who asked not to be named.

- 'Umpteenth negotiations' -

Lecornu meanwhile started meeting party leaders at the prime minister's 
office in an attempt to breach the impasse.

Socialist party leader Olivier Faure late Monday called for "a change of 
course" with a "left-wing government".

Bruno Retailleau, leader of the right-wing Republicans and outgoing interior 
minister, said he was not against remaining in a cabinet with Macron's 
centrists as long as it did not mean fewer members from his party.

The next premier will face the challenge of finding enough support for an 
austerity budget at a time when France's public debt has reached a record 
high.

Le Pen, whose candidacy in the presidential elections is in severe doubt due 
to a fraud conviction, said it would be "wise" for Macron to resign but also 
urged snap legislative polls as "absolutely necessary".

Le Pen and her lieutenant Jordan Bardella, who is expected to stand for the 
presidency if she is blocked, turned down Lecornu's invitation for talks, 
their National Rally party said.

"These umpteenth negotiations no longer aim to protect the interests of the 
French people, but those of the president himself," it said.