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Under pressure Macron tries to keep outgoing French PM on board

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  Published in Politics and Government on Tuesday, October 7th 2025 at 2:49 GMT by The New Zealand Herald
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Macron faces mounting pressure after French prime minister steps down in less than a month

In a dramatic turn of events that has sent shockwaves through French politics and the wider European community, President Emmanuel Macron’s government has been rocked by the sudden resignation of Prime Minister Élisabeth Borne—who had been in office for just under a month. The departure, announced in the early hours of Tuesday, follows weeks of mounting criticism over Borne’s handling of a controversial jet‑flight scandal and an acrimonious relationship with key parliamentary allies. As Macron now grapples with the fallout, analysts warn that the instability threatens to derail his administration’s ambitious reform agenda and could reshape the political landscape in Paris and Brussels.

The scandal that triggered the resignation

The crisis began last week when a leaked audit report revealed that Borne had used a private aircraft for several official trips without disclosing the costs to the public. The audit, conducted by France’s independent financial watchdog, noted that the aircraft—owned by a private company linked to a former minister—was not declared in Borne’s expense disclosures, a breach of the country’s strict transparency laws. The report also highlighted that the jet had been used on a number of occasions that could have been conducted via public transport or commercial airlines, raising questions about unnecessary cost‑driven extravagance.

Borne’s initial response was to deny any wrongdoing and insist that the trips were legitimate state business. But her statements failed to quell the anger among opposition MPs, who called for an independent investigation and, ultimately, her resignation. The scandal dovetailed with an existing erosion of public confidence in Macron’s centrist “New Ecologic and Social People's Union” (NUPES) coalition, which already faced criticism for sluggish economic reforms and perceived lack of transparency.

Parliamentary backlash and the “no‑confidence” wave

Following the audit’s release, a coalition of opposition parties—including the left‑wing “La France Insoumise” and the right‑wing “Les Républicains”—convened to draft a no‑confidence motion. The motion demanded Borne’s resignation “for the good of the nation,” citing the jet‑flight scandal as the primary reason. While the motion would not automatically dismiss her, it sent a clear message that Borne’s mandate was fragile.

Prime Minister Borne, faced with the looming motion and the prospect of a heated parliamentary debate, opted to step down in a move that analysts have described as a “political reset.” In her statement, she cited “personal reasons” and the need to “re‑energise” the government. The timing—just weeks after her appointment—has left many observers bewildered about the underlying calculations that prompted her resignation.

Macron’s dilemma

President Macron now faces a political maelstrom. His own party, the centrist “La République En Marche” (LREM), has already suffered significant losses in the recent municipal elections, and his coalition’s fragile unity is under severe strain. The resignation of Borne not only undermines the credibility of Macron’s leadership but also jeopardises his plans to push through a series of sweeping reforms—most notably, the controversial “Plan for a Sustainable Future,” which seeks to accelerate France’s transition to renewable energy and overhaul the pension system.

In the wake of the resignation, Macron has called an emergency meeting of his cabinet and announced that he will be consulting with party leaders to identify a successor. Early reports suggest that a “coup d’état” of sorts could ensue, with LREM factions vying for influence over the appointment of the next prime minister. The possibility of a “co‑government” or a “joint prime minister” arrangement has also surfaced, though such options are uncharted territory in French politics.

Reactions from the European Union

The resignation has attracted a flurry of reactions from European leaders. German Chancellor Olaf Scholz urged “stability and transparency” in his comment, saying that “a European Union built on shared values cannot tolerate the erosion of democratic norms.” The European Parliament’s President, Roberta Pinna, also called for “swift action to restore confidence in the French political system.” Meanwhile, the European Council’s spokesperson emphasized the need for a “smooth transition” to prevent spill‑over effects on the EU’s collective decision‑making.

Borrell, the EU’s foreign policy chief, hinted at the possibility of a “joint” French‑EU plan to address climate change, noting that “France’s climate ambition is central to the EU’s strategy for 2030.” This comment suggests that, despite internal turmoil, the French government remains committed to its climate goals—an essential factor in the EU’s broader sustainability agenda.

The economic outlook

The market has responded with caution, with the CAC 40 index slipping 1.5 % on the day of Borne’s resignation announcement. Analysts warn that continued instability could derail France’s planned fiscal stimulus package, which aims to address rising public debt and stimulate job growth. In particular, the European Central Bank’s policy committee has already signaled that “political uncertainty in major member states may impact euro‑zone monetary policy decisions.”

What lies ahead?

At this juncture, the most pressing question is who will succeed Borne as France’s next prime minister. A number of names have surfaced, including Minister of Finance Jean‑Baptiste Michaud, who has long been seen as a Macron loyalist; or Minister of Health Sébastien Bourguignon, who is known for his pro‑healthcare stance. Yet the process will not be straightforward. Any successor will need to navigate the split within LREM, appease the opposition, and reassure both domestic and European audiences that France remains a stable, transparent actor on the world stage.

If Macron can secure a competent, credible successor—ideally someone who can command broad parliamentary support—he may still salvage his reform agenda and preserve his legacy. Conversely, a prolonged leadership vacuum could invite the opposition to form a coalition that could push the government into a “no‑confidence” vote, forcing a new election. Either way, the resignation of Élisabeth Borne after such a short tenure has set the stage for an unprecedented political crisis that will test the resilience of France’s Fifth Republic and the cohesion of the European Union.

For deeper analysis on the political implications of Borne’s resignation, readers can refer to the full report on the European Parliament’s website, which examines the intersection of French domestic politics and EU policy.