France’s government has collapsed once again, with Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu stepping down just 27 days into his term. The resignation came mere hours after he announced his cabinet, leaving President Emmanuel Macron scrambling to find a way forward in a parliament that’s been deadlocked since last year’s snap elections. This marks the fifth prime minister in under two years, a sign of the persistent instability that’s gripped the country amid soaring debt and public frustration.
Lecornu, a former defense minister and close Macron ally, faced immediate backlash over his cabinet choices. Critics from all sides argued the lineup was too similar to the previous one under François Bayrou, which fell apart over budget disputes. Stocks in Paris dropped sharply Monday morning following the news, reflecting investor worries about France’s ability to pass a 2026 budget. The nation’s deficit hit 5.8% of GDP last year, with debt climbing to 114%—figures that put it behind only Greece and Italy in the eurozone.
In his resignation speech, Lecornu pointed to the fractured political landscape as the breaking point.
“Political parties are all behaving as if they have their own majority in parliament,” he said, adding that “conditions were not fulfilled” to stay in office. This frustration echoes the broader gridlock, where no single party holds enough seats to push through reforms without fragile coalitions that keep crumbling under pressure.
Opposition leaders wasted no time piling on. Sébastien Chenu of the National Rally called for drastic action: “Macron needs to choose: dissolution of parliament or resignation.”
The far-right party, led by Marine Le Pen, has gained ground in recent polls, capitalizing on voter anger over economic woes and immigration policies. Jordan Bardella, the National Rally’s president, went further, predicting snap elections soon.
“There would very certainly be new elections within weeks,” he told reporters, asserting that his party is “ready to govern.” Bardella learned of the resignation live on television and quickly pinned the blame on Macron’s leadership, a move that underscores how the centrist president’s grip on power has weakened.
From the left, the response was equally fierce. Jean-Luc Mélenchon of La France Insoumise urged a motion to oust Macron entirely, while party member Mathilde Panot declared, “The countdown has begun.” These calls for Macron’s removal highlight the deepening divide, as radical voices on both ends demand a reset rather than more patchwork governments.
The chaos stems from Macron’s decision to call snap elections in 2024, which backfired by fragmenting the National Assembly. Since then, successive prime ministers have struggled to bridge the gaps between left, center, and right. Lecornu’s brief stint was meant to stabilize things, but his cabinet—featuring familiar faces like Bruno Le Maire shifting to defense—drew ire for being too right-leaning for some and not enough for others. With a budget deadline looming, the euro took a hit alongside French markets, signaling broader concerns for the EU’s second-largest economy.
As parties convene to plot their next moves, including potential no-confidence votes that never even materialized this time, France edges closer to another round of elections. Macron has insisted he’ll serve out his term until 2027, but with public debt equating to nearly €50,000 per citizen, the pressure is mounting. This latest upheaval serves as a stark reminder of how unchecked spending and political infighting can erode stability, leaving citizens to bear the cost.
Why the National Debt Is the Looming Threat to Your Retirement Plans
The Hidden Crisis No One Is Talking About
Every day, headlines warn about inflation, market volatility, and global instability—but the greatest looming threat to your retirement might be something far more fundamental: America’s skyrocketing national debt.
You can learn more about how the national debt affects you by reading this 3-minute report titled, “Debt Will Hit $40T in 2026: Prepare Your Retirement Now“.
With debt growing faster than most Americans can possibly fathom, the government’s borrowing habits have reached historic—and dangerous—levels. To cover spending, Washington is making moves with their budget packages, tariffs, and taxes. Is it enough? No. It’s not even close to what would be necessary to stop out-of-control debt, let alone reverse it.
How Debt Erodes Your Nest Egg
There are only so many levers government and the Federal Reserve can pull to try to protect Americans, assuming that’s even a top priority for them. Unfortunately, pulling one level to relive one pressure invariably adds pressure from another direction. This is why prices keep going up even as inflation reportedly slows.
For retirees and pre-retirees, that’s a perfect storm. The dollars you’ve worked hard to save lose value, and your cost of living increases while your investments lag behind.
If you’re relying solely on paper-based assets—stocks, bonds, or mutual funds—you’re essentially tied to the same system that’s creating the problem. It’s a system that was designed to work well in the 20th century, not in today’s world with people living longer and the dollar rapidly losing value.
This is why the 3-minute report, “Debt Will Hit $40T in 2026: Prepare Your Retirement Now,” is so important.
The Precious Metals Hedge
Thousands of Americans are looking for a tangible, time-tested hedge: physical gold and silver.
Unlike paper assets, precious metals aren’t dependent on government policy or the stock market’s mood swings. They’re real, finite resources that have maintained value for thousands of years through wars, recessions, and inflationary periods.
In fact, during times of high inflation and fiscal instability, gold often performs its best—because it’s seen as a store of value when faith in the dollar weakens. This is why prices have skyrocketed this year and are expected by many economists to continue going up in the future.
Take Control with a Gold IRA
One of the most effective ways to protect your retirement from national debt fallout is through a self-directed Gold IRA. This IRS-approved account lets you hold physical gold and silver within your retirement portfolio, giving you:
- Direct ownership of your assets
- A hedge against inflation and dollar decline
- The control to diversify beyond Wall Street
Augusta Precious Metals specializes in helping Americans just like you take this step with confidence. The company has earned a strong reputation for transparency, education, and personalized service—making it one of the most trusted names in the industry.
The Next Step: Secure Your Financial Future
Augusta Precious Metals has helped thousands of Americans with at least $50,000 to invest from their IRAs, 401(K)s, TSPs, and other retirement accounts safeguard their savings through precious metals.
If you’re concerned about what the rising national debt could mean for your future, now is the time to act.
Read this 3-minute report titled, “Debt Will Hit $40T in 2026: Prepare Your Retirement Now“ and learn the simple steps you can take to protect your retirement.