'French politics has always been baroque, but now it's playing out on the public stage'

France’s new Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu resigned after less than a month in office and less than 24 hours after naming a new government that prompted a key coalition ally to withdraw support. The move has plunged the country further into political crisis, leaving embattled French President Emmanuel Macron with few options. Lecornu is now the shortest-serving prime minister in the history of the Fifth Republic. French politics have been in disarray since 2024 snap elections. For in-depth analysis and a deeper perspective, Genie Godula welcomes Paul Smith, Associate Professor in French History and Politics at the University of Nottingham.