French Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu and his newly appointed government resigned Monday, plunging President Emmanuel Macron’s administration into fresh turmoil and raising questions about its ability to govern effectively.

Lecornu, who had only been in office for a month, stepped down less than 12 hours after announcing his cabinet. The abrupt resignation followed fierce backlash from opposition parties and members of Macron’s own minority coalition, many of whom criticized the inclusion of ministers who had previously served in senior roles or were retained from the last government.

The 39-year-old Lecornu was Macron’s fifth prime minister since his reelection in 2022. He had been tasked with navigating a politically fragile landscape, including the passage of a reduced national budget aimed at curbing France’s deficit and reassuring financial markets.

The resignation sent shockwaves through France’s political and economic spheres. The CAC 40, the country’s main stock index, dropped by 2 percent from Friday’s close as investors reacted to the deepening instability.

The development marks a critical moment for Macron, whose presidency has been increasingly defined by legislative gridlock and coalition fractures. With the government in disarray and confidence shaken, the path forward for France’s leadership remains uncertain.

This story is developing.