In a dramatic turn of events, President Emmanuel Macron has decided to reappoint Sébastien Lecornu as Prime Minister of France, merely four days after Lecornu resigned from the position. This unexpected announcement follows a week marked by political turmoil and high uncertainty surrounding the French government.
The reinstatement took place after Macron met with key political parties at the Élysée Palace, excluding the leaders of both the far right and far left. Lecornu’s return is surprising, especially since, only two days prior, he stated on national television that he was not pursuing the position and considered his 'mission' complete.
Facing mounting challenges, Lecornu will need to act quickly to form a government as he prepares to unveil the national budget for the upcoming year by Monday. The Élysée confirmed that Macron has entrusted Lecornu with the authority to assemble his cabinet with significant leeway to tackle pressing issues.
Accepting the challenge, Lecornu, a 39-year-old close ally of Macron, expressed his commitment in a lengthy statement on social media. He aims to prioritize fiscal responsibility and address the immediate concerns of French citizens.
As Lecornu embarks on this task, the political landscape is increasingly fractious. Political divisions over strategies to address the national debt and budget deficit have previously destabilized the government, leading to the resignations of two of the last three prime ministers in just one year. Currently, France’s public debt is nearly 114% of GDP, with a projected budget deficit of 5.4% for this fiscal year.
Lecornu has laid down conditions for forming a government, emphasizing that all participants must be dedicated to improving France’s financial situation. In a particularly challenging context, he will confront a National Assembly where Macron’s party lacks majority support, making the potential for instability even greater.
The reaction to Lecornu's reappointment has been mixed. Jordan Bardella, leader of the National Rally, mocked the decision as a 'bad joke,' criticizing Macron's isolation from reality. Furthermore, left-wing leaders have voiced their discontent, indicating that they perceive Lecornu as an inadequate choice to navigate the complex political landscape.
Additionally, key numbers from an Elabe poll show Macron's approval rating at a dismal 14%, indicating a significant disconnect with the public. Failure to address governance effectively could exacerbate the ongoing economic challenges, crippling any growth aspirations for France.
As the political drama unfolds, observers anticipate a vote of confidence will be required to secure Lecornu's position and government initiatives. If the political turmoil continues without resolution, the implications for France's economic recovery could be severe.
