Emmanuel Macron Reappoints Sébastien Lecornu as French Prime Minister Amid Political Chaos
President Emmanuel Macron has reinstated Sébastien Lecornu as France’s prime minister—just four days after his resignation—ending a week of political turbulence and uncertainty in Paris. The dramatic decision, announced late on Friday, came after Macron met with major political parties at the Élysée Palace, excluding leaders from the far-right and far-left.
Lecornu’s return surprised many across France. Only two days earlier, the 39-year-old leader had publicly stated that he was not seeking the position again, declaring that his “mission was over.” However, with the nation’s budget deadline rapidly approaching, Macron turned once more to one of his most loyal allies to stabilize the government and restore order.
Lecornu’s Immediate Challenge: Forming a Government Before Budget Deadline
Lecornu now faces the immense task of forming a new government by Monday, when France’s 2025 budget is due to be presented to parliament. The Élysée confirmed that Macron had “tasked Lecornu with forming a government,” while insiders suggested he has been given “carte blanche” to act as he sees fit.
In a detailed post on X (formerly Twitter), Lecornu accepted the position “out of duty,” vowing to ensure France delivers a responsible budget and tackles the economic and social challenges facing ordinary citizens. Calling himself a “soldier-monk” earlier this week, he pledged, “I will do everything to succeed in this mission.”
France’s Mounting Economic Pressure
Lecornu inherits an economy under severe strain. France’s public debt reached nearly 114% of GDP earlier this year—the third highest in the eurozone. Meanwhile, the budget deficit is expected to climb to 5.4% of GDP by year’s end.
Two of Macron’s previous prime ministers fell amid disputes over fiscal policy, and Lecornu’s success depends heavily on bridging divisions within parliament over how to reduce spending and stabilize public finances. He has already made clear that “no one will be able to shirk the responsibility” of repairing France’s economic health.
With only 18 months left before Macron’s presidency ends, Lecornu warned potential cabinet members that anyone joining his team must put aside personal ambitions for the Élysée Palace.
Political Division Deepens as Macron’s Popularity Plummets
Lecornu’s path forward will be anything but easy. He must soon face a vote of confidence in a National Assembly where Macron’s centrist alliance no longer holds a majority. The president’s approval rating has plunged to a historic low of 14%, according to a new Elabe poll, leaving his leadership weaker than ever.
Far-right National Rally leader Jordan Bardella, excluded from Friday’s talks, dismissed Lecornu’s reappointment as a “bad joke” from an isolated president “disconnected from the French people.” Bardella also promised to bring an immediate vote of no confidence against the new government, accusing Macron of clinging to power out of fear of fresh elections.
Coalition Building: A Race Against Time
Having already met with several parties earlier this week, Lecornu knows the difficult terrain ahead. He was first appointed prime minister on September 9, but his initial government collapsed just three weeks later after Bruno Retailleau, leader of the conservative Republicans, opposed a key ministerial pick.
Macron’s centrist bloc cannot form a government on its own, and divisions among Republicans have further complicated coalition efforts. Retailleau, who harbors presidential ambitions, has refused to take part in “Lecornu II,” declaring the centrist-conservative alliance dead.
Still, not all Republicans agree with him, and Lecornu has begun quietly reaching out to left-wing parties in hopes of forming a broader coalition.
Macron Seeks Support from the Left
In a bid to win over left-wing lawmakers, Macron’s team has signaled potential concessions on pension reform, one of the most controversial policies of his presidency. The reform, passed in 2023, raised the retirement age from 62 to 64, sparking mass protests across the country.
Greens leader Marine Tondelier, who met with Macron at the Élysée, said she was “stunned” by how little the president offered, warning that “all of this is going to turn out very badly.” She and other left-wing leaders—including Olivier Faure of the Socialists and Fabien Roussel of the Communists—said they saw no reason to support a Lecornu government.
Faure stated bluntly: “Since we’ve not been given any guarantees, we won’t give any guarantees [to back the prime minister] in a vote of confidence.” Roussel added that France needed “real change,” not another centrist-led government.
Economic Risks Mount as Political Crisis Deepens
While Macron and Lecornu focus on slashing the budget deficit by tens of billions of euros, economists warn that prolonged political instability could harm France’s fragile recovery. François Villeroy de Galhau, head of the Bank of France, said political turmoil has already slowed growth.
The central bank now forecasts 0.7% growth for 2025—lower than expected—estimating that the ongoing crisis has already cost the economy 0.2% of potential growth. “Like many in France, I’ve had enough of this political mess,” Villeroy told RTL radio, urging leaders to embrace compromise and coalition-building.
The Stakes: Stability or Further Instability
If Lecornu fails to secure parliamentary support, France could face even deeper instability and a potential snap election, further shaking investor confidence.
For Macron, the stakes could not be higher. His presidency, weakened by public discontent and parliamentary paralysis, depends on Lecornu’s ability to restore unity and confidence in his leadership. For Lecornu, success means not only passing the budget but also steering France through one of its most uncertain political moments in decades.
As one of the youngest prime ministers in modern French history, Lecornu now carries the heavy burden of rescuing both Macron’s legacy and France’s economic stability—before time runs out.