Former French PM calls on Macron to resign amid escalating political turmoil

Emmanuel Macron's first prime minister on Tuesday called on the embattled French president to resign – a stunning appeal that deepened the country's growing political crisis.

Edouard Philippe, who served as Macron's longest-tenured prime minister from 2017 to 2020 and now leads an allied political party, made the remarks amid mounting frustration within the president's own ranks over the most serious domestic turmoil of his eight years in power.

Prime Minister Sebastien Lecornu, appointed less than a month ago, stepped down on Monday morning after failing to rally support across the center-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 election, set for 2027, is widely viewed as a historic turning point, with Marine Le Pen's far-right party sensing its strongest opportunity yet to take power.

Macron is constitutionally barred from seeking a third term.

Philippe, who has already announced his candidacy, said the vote should be brought forward once the budget is passed – a move the Le Parisien daily described as a "political bomb."

Denouncing a "distressing political game," Philippe 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.

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 unraveling" of Macron's second mandate following his win in 2022 presidential elections.

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

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.

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."

(With input from AFP)