By Gloria Nosa
French President Emmanuel Macron has reinstated Sebastien Lecornu as prime minister, just days after his resignation, in a move that has drawn mixed reactions across France’s political spectrum.
The Élysée Palace announced on Friday, October 11, 2025, that Macron had asked Lecornu to form a new government, despite widespread expectations that a fresh face might be brought in to break the nation’s political impasse. At 39, Lecornu remains one of Macron’s closest allies, previously serving as defence minister before his first appointment as premier.
France has been grappling with political paralysis since last year’s snap elections, which resulted in a fractured parliament and boosted the far-right’s presence. Lecornu, in accepting the role again, said he was acting “out of duty” and promised to focus on stabilizing the country’s finances and ensuring a budget is passed by year’s end.
“We must end the political crisis,” Lecornu declared on X (formerly Twitter), pledging to prioritize restoring public finances.
However, his reappointment has angered opposition leaders. Jordan Bardella of the far-right National Rally dismissed the move as a “bad joke” and vowed to challenge Lecornu’s cabinet immediately. The left-wing bloc accused Macron of showing contempt for the public, while the Socialists warned they would oppose Lecornu unless he rolls back the controversial 2023 pension reform, which raised the retirement age from 62 to 64.
Political observers note that Lecornu’s previous attempts to build consensus fell short, with two of his predecessors toppled in clashes over austerity measures. While Lecornu has hinted at bringing in more technocrats to broaden his next cabinet, critics argue that Macron is clinging to familiarity at a time when many demand change.
Meanwhile, tensions within Macron’s own camp are mounting. Former premier Édouard Philippe—tipped as a possible 2027 presidential contender—went as far as suggesting Macron should resign once a budget is secured, an extraordinary rebuke from a onetime ally.
Despite growing calls for his departure, Macron has reiterated that he will serve out his mandate, with the far-right sensing its strongest opportunity yet ahead of the 2027 presidential race. Bardella, 30, is already positioning himself as a frontrunner, particularly with Marine Le Pen barred from contesting due to a corruption conviction.
For now, Lecornu faces the uphill task of uniting a deeply divided parliament while navigating France’s toughest domestic political storm since Macron’s rise to power in 2017.
