By Jérôme Goulon.
With Sébastien Lecornu's resignation after just 27 days, Emmanuel Macron has already had seven Prime Ministers since taking office on May 14, 2017. Since the creation of the Fifth Republic in 1958, the terms of French Prime Ministers have varied considerably, ranging from a few weeks to several years. Some have made history with their brevity, while others have held office for extended periods, contributing to the country's political stability. Discover the complete ranking of Prime Ministers under the Fifth Republic, from the shortest to the longest term.
The shortest terms
Sébastien Lecornu holds the record for the shortest tenure. Appointed Prime Minister by Emmanuel Macron following the resignation of François Bayrou, he served for only 27 days , from September 9 to October 6, 2025. His resignation, announced this Monday morning, was motivated by increasing political instability and the threat of a vote of no confidence, making him the shortest-serving Prime Minister of the Fifth Republic.
Michel Barnier, for his part, occupied Matignon for 3 months and 8 days , from September 5 to December 13, 2024. A former European Commissioner, he became the oldest Prime Minister of the Fifth Republic at 73. His term was also marked by political tensions and governmental instability.
Bernard Cazeneuve was Prime Minister from December 6, 2016 to May 15, 2017, a period of 5 months and 9 days . Appointed following the resignation of Manuel Valls, he led the government during a transitional period before the legislative elections.
Gabriel Attal , appointed at 34, became the youngest Prime Minister of the Fifth Republic. His term, from January 9 to September 5, 2024, lasted 7 months and 27 days.
François Bayrou, for his part, led the government from December 13, 2024 to September 9, 2025, a period of 8 months and 27 days . His term was marked by a fragmented National Assembly, which led to his resignation.
Édith Cresson became the first woman to hold the position of Prime Minister , under the presidency of François Mitterrand. She remained in office for only 10 months and 18 days , from May 15, 1991 to April 2, 1992.
Maurice Couve de Murville was Prime Minister of France for 11 months and 10 days , from July 10, 1968 to June 20, 1969. He held this position under the presidency of Charles de Gaulle and the interim presidency of Alain Poher, General de Gaulle having resigned on April 28, 1969 following the "no" vote in the referendum on university, social and economic reform.
Pierre Bérégovoy served as Prime Minister under François Mitterrand from April 2, 1992 to March 29, 1993, a period of 11 months and 27 days. One month after leaving Matignon, on May 1, 1993, he committed suicide with a firearm.
Those who stayed more than a year
Elisabeth Borne was Prime Minister for 1 year, 7 months and 24 days , from May 16, 2022 to January 9, 2024.
Laurent Fabius was François Mitterrand's Prime Minister for 1 year, 8 months and 3 days , from July 17, 1984 to March 20, 1986.
Jean Castex occupied Matignon for 1 year, 10 months and 13 days , from July 3, 2020 to May 16, 2022.
Jean-Marc Ayrault was Prime Minister from May 15, 2012 to March 31, 2014, for 1 year, 10 months and 16 days. His term was marked by internal tensions within the government and economic difficulties.
Pierre Messmer was Prime Minister for 1 year, 10 months and 22 days , from July 5, 1972 to May 27, 1974. His government was stable and went through several economic crises.
Dominique de Villepin was Prime Minister for 1 year, 11 months and 16 days , from May 31, 2005 to May 17, 2007.
Prime Ministers who lasted more than 2 years
Alain Juppé , under the presidency of Jacques Chirac, occupied Matignon for 2 years and 16 days , from May 17, 1995 to June 2, 1997.
Édouard Balladur was Prime Minister from March 29, 1993 to May 17, 1995, under the presidency of François Mitterrand, i.e. 2 years, 1 month and 18 days.
Manuel Valls was François Hollande's Prime Minister for 2 years, 8 months and 5 days , from March 31, 2014 to December 6, 2016.
Prime Ministers who lasted more than 3 years
Michel Rocard remained Prime Minister for 3 years and 5 days , from May 10, 1988 to May 15, 1991.
Édouard Philippe served from May 15, 2017 to July 3, 2020, a period of 3 years, 1 month and 18 days. He was Emmanuel Macron's first Prime Minister.
Jacques Chaban-Delmas was head of government for 3 years and 15 days , from June 20, 1969 to July 5, 1972, under the presidency of Georges Pompidou.
Pierre Mauroy was Prime Minister for 3 years, 1 month and 26 days , from May 21, 1981 to July 17, 1984.
Michel Debré was the first to hold the office of Prime Minister of the Fifth Republic , under the presidency of Charles de Gaulle. He led the government for 3 years, 3 months and 6 days , from January 8, 1959 to April 14, 1962.
Jean-Pierre Raffarin was Prime Minister for 3 years and 25 days , from May 6, 2002 to May 31, 2005.
Prime Ministers who lasted more than 4 years
Raymond Barre occupied Matignon from August 25, 1976 to May 21, 1981, i.e. 4 years, 8 months and 26 days.
Lionel Jospin was Prime Minister from June 2, 1997 to May 6, 2002, for almost 4 years , 11 months and 4 days. His government was marked by the implementation of the five-year presidential term and the cohabitation with Jacques Chirac.
François Fillon led the government from May 17, 2007 to May 15, 2012, a period of 4 years, 11 months and 28 days . He resigned after Nicolas Sarkozy's defeat in the presidential election.
The Prime Minister who lasted more than 5 years
Jacques Chirac , Prime Minister under the presidency of Valéry Giscard d'Estaing, led the government from May 27, 1974 to August 25, 1976, then from March 20, 1986 to May 10, 1988 under François Mitterrand, a total of 5 years and almost 5 months combining the two mandates.
The Prime Minister who lasted more than 6 years
Before becoming President of the Republic (1969-1974), Georges Pompidou served as Prime Minister for 6 years, 2 months and 26 days . This was during the presidency of Charles de Gaulle.
