Why is FRANCE beating the UK in the Prime Minister revolving door?

[AviatorTom]

What is happening in the world, Europe in particular?

We all thought the UK had the record for Prime Minister changes, with 4 PMs in only 3 years, which includes Liz Truss's just 49 days as PM.

Now, France's Sébastien Lecornu resigns after only 26 days, giving France its 5th PM in only 13 months. Is France's government really that bad?

What do you think?

In comparison, Germany has had 3 Prime Ministers in the last 5 years, and the United States has had 2 Presidents in the last 6 years.

[MuddyMole]

Two reasons.
1: It's not a two-party system.
You need to get multiple parties to agree to compromise, or they can basically block you from getting anything done. That's not always possible/palatable, in which case all you can do is quit, and let someone else have a go.
Even in the UK, which has a mostly two party system, it's not uncommon for neither party to win an absolute majority, which means they still need to get the support of some other random small party (resulting in a pretty messed up situation, where Party A wins 49% of seats, Party B wins 48%, Party C wins 3%, and Party C joins a coalition and ends up with more power and influence than Party B).

2: Accountability.
Unlike in the US, it's actually possible to screw up so badly that you lose your job. You will lose a vote of no-confidence, meaning that your own party wants you gone - although most will resign before that, to save face. It takes some doing, but it's possible. What makes it easier, is the fact that politicians are all slimy, self-serving, backstabbing bastards - even if they don't want the job of PM themselves (yet), they'll happily support someone else if they think they'll be rewarded with a promotion when the new cabinet is formed. There are always various little cliques and factions within every party, trying to position themselves in case an opportunity arises (there's already talk of Keir Starmer being ousted by Andy Burnham).

Also, note that general elections happen independently of party leadership contests. If the Conservative party wins a general election, they can change the Prime Minister as many times as they like, and it won't trigger a general election. They're not required to do that for another 5 years. Rishi Sunak and Liz Truss were never even elected.

[OlderAndWiser]

Europeans love to spot as progressive agenda. . . until they must live with the consequences.

[Cubus]

France politics in overall is dysfunctional. The record is held by Aristide Briand, who was a prime minister 11 times and a minister in 26 governments.

[FreyaRed]

Al established parties and establishment party biotopes (aka. the swamp) feel the threat of radical right wing parties (not just controlled opposition) which don't want to play their game and imprison former politicians who stole, sold silver wares for peanuts and betrayed.
PM job today is like being a captain on a vessel that all rats left already, you know she will go down and it's better to give you captain duties to a cabin boy who has no clue what will happens soon.

[purplepoppy]

As I understand it France has a ton of parties so the vote gets thinly spread and they rely more on cross party support. It's easy for trouble makers to work the system and oust pms.

In the UK 3 and a bit party system the winner usually gets around 30% meaning 2/3rds don't like him. So imagine how a multi party system works. You've got to get into bed with a lot of people to get things done.

[Cubus]

France has two-rounds single-mandate districts parliament election.

Macron gambled on supporting far-left in the second round in most districts, just to stop Le Pen from winning (her party would have won the majority of votes otherwise). Because of that, France has three big blocs and no one of them has a majority. Macron appoints new and new prime ministers from his liberal 1/3 but they can't get the majority to support them.

[Anonymous]

Minor correction: the United States has had 1.5 Presidents in the last 6 years.

I think Europe in general is in deep trouble. Their politics have created huge problems that they are now having to face, and people are pissed.

[AviatorTom]

I don't mean to start n argument, but who is the 0.5?

[Opinion Owner]

No worries, I was referring to Biden, the one with half a brain left, and zero actual influence over anyone or anything.

[exitseven]

Europe is going nuts. President Trump is right. If they keep letting in unlimited amounts of illegal aliens they will lose their countries.

[Dargil]

All of Western Europe are circling the drain and uncle Sam isn't going to save them from their enemies, themselves and non-assimilating emigrants this time

[lightbulb27]

Debt problems be the root...

um... more people flooding in by train vs uk?

[Anonymous]

French politics caused that situation, I'm not surprised at all.

[beefcakebradybatson]

France historically has had flimsy governments, and this bunch naturally wants to keep the crypto-Fascist National Rally ( NR, formerly National Front) from power.

[Shiprex]

Yes they're doing a grand job though it's basically finding a foreman for the next in line

[AngryCarl2]

Because anyone who works with Macron and endorses his Neo-Liberal agenda is electoral poison.

[loveslongnails]

What is happening in the USA?