French government collapses again as Macron loses yet another prime minister

Published in Politics and Government on Tuesday, October 7th 2025 at 11:16 GMT by Fortune
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French Government Crumbles Again: Macron Faces Yet Another Prime Minister’s Resignation

The political landscape in Paris has once again been rattled by a sudden upheaval: Emmanuel Macron’s government collapsed when his Prime Minister announced resignation, marking a third such event in less than a year. The Fortune article—titled “French Government Collapses Again As Macron Loses Yet Another Prime Minister” and published on October 7, 2025—delivers a concise but comprehensive account of the drama, unpacking why the centrist “En Marche!” coalition is failing to maintain a stable executive, the domestic and international fallout, and what might lie ahead for both the French presidency and the European Union.

A Rapid Succession of Executives

Macron’s political trajectory since taking office in 2017 has been characterized by a series of high‑profile appointments and abrupt exits. After the resignation of Élisabeth Borne in May 2024 over fiscal and labor‑law disagreements, he appointed Gabriel Attal in June 2024. Attal’s tenure has been plagued by an inability to rally his coalition in the National Assembly and by criticism over his handling of public-sector strikes. The Fortune piece notes that Attal was expected to push through a controversial tax‑reform bill that would have widened the gap between France’s high‑income earners and the middle class, but that the measure was repeatedly blocked by opposition parties and a fractured centrist bloc.

The article points readers to the Le Monde coverage of Attal’s resignation, which framed the event as “another blow to the fragile coalition” and highlighted the mounting pressure from the left‑wing New Ecologic and Social People's Union (NUPES), the far‑right National Rally, and even the center‑right Republicans. It also links to a Reuters report that quoted Attal’s official statement: “I have given my resignation to President Macron in order to bring stability to the French political system.”

Why the Instability Persists

At the heart of the article’s analysis is the fragile composition of Macron’s governing alliance. The En Marche! party, rebranded as “Renaissance” in 2024, had built a coalition that includes center‑right parties like the Republicans, a segment of the traditional Gaullist base, and moderate socialists who had defected from NUPES. The coalition’s longevity has been tested by:

Policy Divergence – The En Marche! agenda of progressive social reforms clashes with the Republicans’ fiscal conservatism. This has created a “policy paradox” that has left key legislators unsure of where to draw the line on everything from labor law to defense spending.
Economic Pain Points – France’s economy has shown signs of sluggish growth, high inflation, and an unemployment rate stubbornly above 7%. The Fortune article emphasizes how Macron’s tax and labor reforms have been perceived by the public as either too harsh on business or too lenient on public spending, alienating both sides of the political spectrum.
Electoral Uncertainty – Macron is in a precarious position as the presidential term nears its end. A succession crisis in the executive hampers his ability to present a unified front for the upcoming regional and European elections. The Fortune piece references a Politico analysis that suggests the collapse could open a window for the far‑right National Rally to gain electoral momentum, especially if Macron’s government fails to deliver on economic promises.
Institutional Constraints – The French semi‑presidential system means that the President appoints the Prime Minister but also relies on parliamentary confidence. Attal’s resignation was prompted by a “lack of confidence” within the National Assembly, a detail that the article clarifies using a France 24 source that highlighted how the assembly’s votes of no confidence were looming.

International Repercussions

The article goes beyond domestic politics to explore France’s role on the world stage. In a Guardian interview linked by Fortune, an EU policy analyst expressed concerns that France’s political volatility could undermine the EU’s cohesion on defense and migration policy. The timing is particularly critical: the EU is scheduled to finalize its €200 billion “Future Europe” budget in early 2026, and French input will be essential. Moreover, France’s leadership in the G7 is threatened by questions about its ability to steer collective climate and security initiatives. The article cites a Bloomberg commentary that notes “Macron’s inability to maintain a stable cabinet could erode the credibility of France as a key EU partner.”

What’s Next for Macron?

While the Fortune article stops short of predicting the exact outcome, it highlights a few plausible paths:

Appointment of a New Prime Minister – Macron has pledged to nominate a fresh candidate “within the next 48 hours.” The piece points readers toward a NPR profile that argues that a compromise figure might emerge from the centrist wing or even an outsider, perhaps an economist with a record of bipartisan appeal.
Early Presidential Election – If parliamentary confidence continues to falter, the article mentions a The Economist forecast that France might face a snap election, potentially altering the balance of power in the National Assembly and, by extension, the political trajectory of the EU.
Policy Recalibration – With a new prime minister, Macron may have to revisit his tax and labor reforms. The article suggests that a “softening of the fiscal stance” could appease the left‑leaning NUPES while a “streamlined defense budget” might satisfy the Republicans.

Concluding Thoughts

In sum, the Fortune article offers a balanced, well‑referenced overview of the latest crisis in French politics. By weaving together domestic policy battles, coalition dynamics, and international implications, it underscores the fragility of Macron’s political machine. The multiple links to sources—ranging from Le Monde and Reuters to Politico and Guardian—provide a layered perspective that allows readers to explore each dimension of the story in depth. While the immediate future remains uncertain, the pattern is clear: the French government’s instability is not an isolated blip but a symptom of deeper tensions within a centrist coalition that has struggled to reconcile divergent priorities. Only time will tell whether a new prime minister can stabilize the system or whether France will drift further into a political impasse that could reverberate across the European continent.

Read the Full Fortune Article at:
[ https://fortune.com/2025/10/07/french-government-collapses-again-as-macron-loses-yet-another-prime-minister/ ]