President Emmanuel Macron Reappoints Sébastien Lecornu as French Prime Minister Following A Period of Unrest

The French leader has called upon his former prime minister to come back as head of government only four days after he resigned, causing a week of intense uncertainty and instability.

Macron made the announcement towards the end of the week, hours after consulting with key political groups collectively at the official residence, omitting the representatives of the far right and far left.

His reappointment came as a surprise, as he stated on television just 48 hours prior that he was not seeking the position and his “mission is over”.

There is uncertainty whether he will be able to assemble a cabinet, but he will have to act quickly. Lecornu faces a time limit on Monday to submit financial plans before parliament.

Leadership Hurdles and Fiscal Demands

The presidency confirmed the president had “tasked [Lecornu] with forming a government”, and Macron's entourage indicated he had been given “carte blanche” to proceed.

The prime minister, who is one of the president's key supporters, then released a detailed message on social media in which he consented to responsibly the task given to him by the president, to make every effort to finalize financial plans by the December and tackle the common issues of our countrymen.

Partisan conflicts over how to lower government borrowing and reduce the fiscal shortfall have resulted in the resignation of multiple premiers in the last year, so his mission is immense.

Government liabilities in the past months was close to 114% of gross domestic product – the third highest in the eurozone – and current shortfall is estimated to reach 5.4% of economic output.

Lecornu said that everyone must contribute the imperative of fixing government accounts. In just a year and a half before the end of Macron's presidency, he warned that anyone joining his government would have to set aside their aspirations for higher office.

Ruling Amid Division

Adding to the difficulty for the prime minister is that he will face a show of support in a legislative body where Macron 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 left out of Macron's talks with party leaders on Friday, said that the decision, by a president increasingly isolated at the presidential palace, is a poor decision.

His party would promptly introduce a motion of censure against a struggling administration, whose sole purpose was fear of an election, the leader stated.

Forming Coalitions

The prime minister at least understands the obstacles ahead as he tries to form a government, because he has already used time recently consulting political groups that might participate in his administration.

On their own, the moderate factions cannot form a government, and there are divisions within the traditionalists who have helped prop up Macron's governments since he lacked support in the previous vote.

So Lecornu will consider left-wing parties for future alliances.

As a gesture to progressives, Macron's team indicated the president was evaluating a pause to part of his controversial social security adjustments implemented recently which extended working life from 62 up to 64.

It was insufficient of what socialist figures wanted, as they were hoping he would choose a premier from the left. Olivier Faure of the leftist party commented lacking commitments, they would withhold backing to back the prime minister.

The Communist figure from the left-wing party said after meeting the president that the progressive camp wanted real change, and a premier from the central bloc would not be endorsed by the French people.

Greens leader the Green figure said she was “stunned” the president had given minimal offers to the progressives, adding that outcomes would be negative.