Macron Reappoints Lecornu as France's Premier Following Days of Unrest

Sébastien Lecornu portrait
The politician served for just 26 days before his unexpected departure recently

The French leader has called upon his former prime minister to come back as the nation's premier a mere four days after he left the post, sparking a week of political upheaval and instability.

Macron made the announcement on Friday evening, shortly after consulting with key political groups in one place at the presidential palace, except for the representatives of the extremist parties.

His reappointment was unexpected, as he stated on television only two days ago that he was not seeking the position and his role had concluded.

There is uncertainty whether he will be able to form a government, but he will have to hit the ground running. Lecornu faces a deadline on Monday to put next year's budget before lawmakers.

Political Challenges and Budgetary Strains

The presidency confirmed the president had assigned him to build a cabinet, and those close to the president suggested he had been given complete freedom to act.

The prime minister, who is one of Macron's closest allies, then published a comprehensive announcement on an online platform in which he agreed to take on “out of duty” the mission entrusted to me by the president, to strive to provide France with a budget by the end of the year and respond to the daily concerns of our countrymen.

Ideological disagreements over how to bring down the country's public debt and cut the budget deficit have caused the resignation of two of the past three prime ministers in the recent period, so his challenge is immense.

Government liabilities in the past months was close to 114% of gross domestic product – the number three in the eurozone – and current shortfall is expected to amount to over five percent of the economy.

Lecornu said that everyone must contribute the necessity of repairing France's public finances. Given the limited time before the end of Macron's presidency, he warned that those in the cabinet would have to put on hold their political goals.

Ruling Amid Division

Compounding the challenge for the prime minister is that he will face a show of support in a legislative body where Macron has lacks sufficient support to endorse his government. His public standing reached its lowest point recently, according to a survey that put his approval rating on just 14%.

The far-right leader of the far-right National Rally, which was left out of the president's discussions with party leaders on Friday, said that the prime minister's return, by a president out of touch at the official residence, is a “bad joke”.

His party would immediately bring a challenge against a doomed coalition, whose only reason for being was avoiding a vote, the leader stated.

Building Alliances

The prime minister at least knows the pitfalls he faces as he tries to establish a cabinet, because he has already devoted 48 hours lately talking to political groups that might join his government.

By themselves, the centrist parties cannot form a government, and there are disagreements within the traditionalists who have assisted the ruling coalition since he failed to secure enough seats in the previous vote.

So he will consider progressive groups for future alliances.

As a gesture to progressives, the president's advisors suggested the president was evaluating a pause to some aspects of his highly contentious social security adjustments enacted last year which extended working life from 62 up to 64.

That fell short of what left-wing leaders hoped for, as they were expecting he would choose a leader from their side. Olivier Faure of the Socialists said “since we've not been given any guarantees, we won't give any guarantee” in a vote of confidence.

Fabien Roussel from the Communists stated following discussions that the progressive camp wanted substantive shifts, and a premier from the moderate faction would not be endorsed by the citizens.

Environmental party head the Green figure expressed shock the president had offered the left almost nothing to the left, adding that outcomes would be negative.

Ana Gilbert
Ana Gilbert

A tech enthusiast and writer passionate about innovation and storytelling, sharing experiences from the digital world.