🔗 Share this article

The French leader has requested Sébastien Lecornu to come back as French prime minister just days after he stepped down, sparking a stretch of political upheaval and crisis.

The president stated towards the end of the week, following gathering all the main parties collectively at the official residence, except for the figures of the political extremes.

Lecornu's return shocked many, as he said on broadcast recently that he was not seeking the position and his role had concluded.

Doubts remain whether he will be able to establish a ruling coalition, but he will have to start immediately. He faces a time limit on Monday to present the annual budget before lawmakers.

Governing Obstacles and Economic Pressures

The presidency said the president had assigned him to build a cabinet, and those close to the president suggested he had been given “carte blanche” to act.

The prime minister, who is one of Macron's closest allies, then released a detailed message on X in which he consented to responsibly the mission entrusted to me by the president, to make every effort to secure a national budget by the end of the year and tackle the common issues of our fellow citizens.

Ideological disagreements over how to reduce the country's public debt and cut the budget deficit have caused the ouster of multiple premiers in the last year, so his challenge is enormous.

The nation's debt earlier this year was nearly 114 percent of national income – the number three in the euro area – and current shortfall is projected to hit 5.4% of the economy.

Lecornu said that no one can avoid the necessity of restoring the nation's budget. Given the limited time before the conclusion of his term, he advised that anyone joining his government would have to put on hold their aspirations for higher office.

Governing Without a Majority

Compounding the challenge for Lecornu is that he will face a show of support in a National Assembly where the president has is short of votes to back him. The president's popularity hit a record low this week, according to research that put his approval rating on just 14%.

The far-right leader of the right-wing group, which was excluded of consultations with party leaders on Friday, said that Lecornu's reappointment, by a president “more than ever isolated and disconnected” at the official residence, is a poor decision.

His party would promptly introduce a vote of no confidence against a failing government, whose only reason for being was fear of an election, the leader stated.

Forming Coalitions

The prime minister at least is aware of the challenges ahead as he tries to form a government, because he has already spent two days lately talking to factions that might participate in his administration.

On their own, the moderate factions lack a majority, and there are disagreements within the right-leaning party who have helped prop up the ruling coalition since he lost his majority in recent polls.

So Lecornu will look to progressive groups for possible backing.

In an attempt to court the left, Macron's team hinted the president was evaluating a pause to portions of his highly contentious social security adjustments passed in 2023 which raised the retirement age from 62 up to 64.

That fell short of what socialist figures desired, as they were anticipating he would appoint a prime minister from their camp. Olivier Faure of the leftist party commented without assurances, they would offer no support in a vote of confidence.

The Communist figure from the left-wing party stated following discussions that the progressive camp wanted real change, and a premier from the moderate faction would not be supported by the citizens.

Environmental party head the Green figure said she was “stunned” the president had offered the left almost nothing to the left, adding that outcomes would be negative.