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Pressure intensified on France’s recently reinstated prime minister, Sebastien Lecornu, over the weekend to secure approval for an austerity budget, as multiple parties threatened to remove a leader whose initial term lasted just 27 days.
In a controversial decision, President Emmanuel Macron reinstated Lecornu late on Friday, only four days after his resignation and the downfall of a government that lasted a mere 14 hours.
Lecornu, 39, now faces the challenge of assembling a cabinet to present a draft budget for 2026 on Monday, aiming to bring an end to months of political standstill and reduce France’s extensive debt. However, his new administration is already in jeopardy after his reappointment sparked backlash across the political landscape and promises to reject it at the first opportunity.
Jordan Bardella, leader of the far-right National Rally party, criticised Lecornu’s return as a “bad joke” and said he would immediately work to dismiss the new cabinet.
The Socialists, a pivotal group in parliament, declared they had “no agreement” with Lecornu and would vote to remove his administration unless he consented to halt a 2023 pensions reform that raised the retirement age from 62 to 64.
France has experienced political gridlock since Macron’s risky bet on snap elections last year aimed at consolidating power, which instead resulted in a hung parliament and increased representation for the far right.
The nation faces pressure from the EU to reduce its deficit and debt, and disagreements over cost-cutting measures have previously led to the downfall of Lecornu’s two predecessors.
Lecornu has promised to do “everything possible” to deliver a budget by year’s end, emphasising that restoring public finances is a “priority” for the future. However, time is running short to allow parliament the constitutionally mandated 70 days to review the budget before the year ends.
Macron, who has been enduring the most significant domestic crisis since the start of his presidency in 2017, has yet to address the public following the collapse of Lecornu’s first government.
Lecornu, a loyal supporter of Macron and former defence minister, agreed to extend his tenure for two additional days post-resignation to consult with all political factions. In an interview late Wednesday, he expressed his belief that a revised draft budget for 2026 could be ready on Monday, which would comply with the deadline for its approval by year’s end.
On Friday, Lecornu cautioned that anyone wishing to join his government “must agree to set aside presidential aspirations” for the 2027 elections. His proposed list of ministers the previous Sunday drew criticism for not breaking sufficiently from the past, and he indicated on Wednesday that it should include technocrats.
In an extraordinary move, former prime minister Edouard Philippe, a potential candidate in the upcoming presidential election, suggested earlier this week that Macron should resign after a budget is passed. However, Macron has consistently maintained that he will serve until the end of his term.
