François Bayrou arrived at the Élysée Palace at noon to submit his resignation to President Emmanuel Macron, following the fall of his government in the French National Assembly. He departed nearly an hour and a half later.

Reporters from AFP noted that the car carrying Bayrou passed through the presidential palace gates shortly before 1:30 p.m. local time (2:30 p.m. in Greece).

With a term of just nine months, the government fell after failing to secure a vote of confidence in the National Assembly (194 in favor, 364 against), plunging France once again into the throes of political crisis.

Video of Bayrou’s arrival at the Élysée Palace:

Bayrou’s fall makes him the sixth prime minister to step down under Macron, following Édouard Philippe, Jean Castex, Élisabeth Borne, Gabriel Attal, and Michel Barnier. The constant rotation of prime ministers highlights the president’s difficulty in maintaining stable balances in the National Assembly, especially after elections that did not deliver an absolute majority.

However, Macron has ruled out the possibility of early elections. In a statement, he said he had “taken note of the result” and would appoint a new prime minister “in the coming days.” According to AFP, the decision could even be announced today.

Which names is the French president considering?

Speculation in Paris is intense. The most likely candidates are figures with experience and close personal trust with Macron, such as Justice Minister Gérald Darmanin and Defense Minister Sébastien Lecornu. Also mentioned on the shortlist are Health Minister Catherine Vautrin and Finance Minister Éric Lombard.

According to Politico, Lecornu’s candidacy was discussed on Monday at the Élysée Palace. One of the first political figures to stand by Macron, Lecornu has managed to retain his position through multiple reshuffles, reinforcing his image as a reliable choice. Although his name has been floated before for the premiership, this time his chances appear greater, with close associates noting that “conditions are more favorable, but nothing is certain until the final decision is made.”