French President Emmanuel Macron’s political authority took a further hit Tuesday after two of his former prime ministers publicly distanced themselves from him, intensifying pressure for his resignation amid a deepening government crisis.

Édouard Philippe, Macron’s first prime minister after his 2017 election win, urged the president to call early presidential elections, saying France cannot withstand another 18 months of instability. Gabriel Attal, once one of Macron’s most loyal allies, voiced his own disapproval on national television Monday night, declaring: “Like many French people, I no longer understand the president’s decisions.”

The rare rebukes from two high-profile former lieutenants underscored Macron’s waning grip on power after a year of turmoil triggered by his 2024 decision to dissolve the National Assembly. That gamble backfired, leaving him with a fragmented parliament dominated by hostile blocs that have repeatedly toppled his minority governments.

The immediate crisis was sparked by the abrupt resignation on Monday of Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu, Macron’s fourth head of government since the dissolution. His newly announced Cabinet collapsed within hours after losing crucial conservative backing. Macron gave Lecornu 48 more hours to attempt “final negotiations” with centrists and conservatives in a last-ditch bid to avoid further chaos.

Rivals from across the spectrum have presented starkly different paths forward. The left has pushed for “cohabitation,” demanding Macron appoint a prime minister from their ranks after the New Popular Front coalition emerged as the largest bloc in last year’s elections. The far right, riding high in opinion polls, is demanding fresh elections that could hand them decisive power.

Marine Tondelier, leader of the Greens, said cohabitation was “the responsible choice” to deliver change. By contrast, National Rally president Jordan Bardella called for a new vote, saying: “We must go back to the French people so they can choose a majority for themselves. We are ready to take responsibility.”

For now, Macron insists he will complete his second and final term through 2027. But with approval ratings at record lows and even his former allies urging him to cut short his presidency, his political future looks increasingly uncertain.

“The impression is that the Fifth Republic is on life support,” said Guillaume Glade, a 36-year-old worker in Paris. “There are cracks on all sides, and we can feel it.”