🔗 Share this article

The French leader has asked his former prime minister to return as the nation's premier a mere four days after he resigned, sparking a stretch of intense uncertainty and instability.

Macron declared late on Friday, following meeting key political groups together at the presidential palace, omitting the representatives of the extremist parties.

The decision to reinstate him came as a surprise, as he stated on broadcast recently that he was not interested in returning and his task was complete.

There is uncertainty whether he will be able to form a government, but he will have to start immediately. He faces a cut-off on Monday to submit financial plans before lawmakers.

Political Challenges and Economic Pressures

The Élysée announced the president had assigned him to build a cabinet, and those close to the president indicated he had been given complete freedom to make decisions.

Lecornu, who is one of a trusted associate, then issued a comprehensive announcement on X in which he accepted responsibly the task assigned by the president, to strive to finalize financial plans by the December and tackle the everyday problems of our fellow citizens.

Political divisions over how to lower government borrowing and cut the budget deficit have resulted in the resignation of multiple premiers in the last year, so his task is enormous.

Government liabilities recently was close to 114% of economic output (GDP) – the third highest in the currency union – and current shortfall is estimated to hit 5.4% of economic output.

Lecornu stated that “no-one will be able to shirk” the need of repairing the nation's budget. Given the limited time before the conclusion of his term, he cautioned that prospective ministers would have to put on hold their political goals.

Governing Without a Majority

Compounding the challenge for Lecornu is that he will face a vote of confidence in a legislative body where the president has is short of votes to endorse his government. Macron's approval plummeted recently, according to a survey that put his approval rating on just 14%.

The far-right leader of the right-wing group, which was left out of consultations with faction heads on Friday, commented that the prime minister's return, by a president increasingly isolated at the Élysée, is a “bad joke”.

They would quickly propose a vote of no confidence against a doomed coalition, whose main motivation was dreading polls, the leader stated.

Seeking Support

The prime minister at least knows the pitfalls ahead as he tries to build a coalition, because he has already used time lately talking to parties that might participate in his administration.

Alone, the central groups lack a majority, and there are splits within the right-leaning party who have helped prop up the ruling coalition since he lost his majority in the previous vote.

So he will look to progressive groups for possible backing.

To gain leftist support, the president's advisors indicated the president was thinking of postponing to part of his divisive social security adjustments passed in 2023 which extended working life from 62 up to 64.

That fell short of what left-wing leaders desired, as they were hoping he would select a prime minister from their side. Olivier Faure of the Socialists commented lacking commitments, they would withhold backing to back the prime minister.

Fabien Roussel from the Communists commented post-consultation that the progressive camp wanted real change, and a leader from the president's centrist camp would not be endorsed by the citizens.

Greens leader the Green figure remarked she was surprised Macron had offered the left almost nothing to the progressives, adding that “all of this is going to turn out very badly”.