🔗 Share this article President Emmanuel Macron Brings Back Lecornu as France's Prime Minister Following Days of Instability Sébastien Lecornu held the position for merely less than four weeks before his surprise stepping down last Monday The French leader has called upon his former prime minister to come back as the nation's premier just days after he resigned, causing a stretch of high drama and political turmoil. The president stated towards the end of the week, shortly after consulting with all the main parties collectively at the Élysée Palace, omitting the representatives of the far right and far left. His reappointment shocked many, as he said on broadcast just 48 hours prior that he was not seeking the position and his role had concluded. Doubts remain whether he will be able to assemble a cabinet, but he will have to act quickly. The new prime minister faces a time limit on the start of the week to put next year's budget before the National Assembly. Governing Obstacles and Economic Pressures The presidency confirmed the president had assigned him to build a cabinet, and those close to the president suggested he had been given complete freedom to make decisions. The prime minister, who is one of the president's key supporters, then issued a comprehensive announcement on an online platform in which he accepted responsibly the mission assigned by the president, to strive to secure a national budget by the year's conclusion and tackle the common issues of our fellow citizens. Partisan conflicts over how to bring down the country's public debt and reduce the fiscal shortfall have led to the resignation of several leaders in the last year, so his challenge is immense. The nation's debt in the past months was close to 114% of gross domestic product – the third highest in the euro area – and this year's budget deficit is estimated to amount to 5.4% of economic output. The premier emphasized that “no-one will be able to shirk” the imperative of repairing France's public finances. Given the limited time before the completion of his mandate, he warned that those in the cabinet would have to delay their presidential ambitions. Governing Without a Majority Adding to the difficulty for the prime minister is that he will face a show of support in a parliament where Macron has is short of votes to back him. His public standing plummeted in the latest survey, according to a survey that put his support level on 14%. Jordan Bardella of the far-right National Rally, which was left out of consultations with political chiefs on Friday, commented that Lecornu's reappointment, by a president “more than ever isolated and disconnected” at the Élysée, is a “bad joke”. They would quickly propose a motion of censure against a doomed coalition, whose sole purpose was dreading polls, the leader stated. Forming Coalitions Lecornu at least is aware of the challenges in his path as he tries to form a government, because he has already spent two days recently meeting with parties that might participate in his administration. Alone, the moderate factions are insufficient, and there are splits within the traditionalists who have helped prop up the administration since he lost his majority in elections last year. So he will consider socialist factions for possible backing. To gain leftist support, the president's advisors indicated the president was considering a delay to portions of his divisive social security adjustments implemented recently which increased the pension age from the early sixties. The offer was inadequate of what progressive chiefs desired, as they were hoping he would choose a leader from their camp. The Socialist leader of the Socialists stated “since we've not been given any guarantees, we won't give any guarantee” for the premier. Fabien Roussel from the left-wing party said after meeting the president that the progressive camp wanted real change, and a leader from the moderate faction would not be supported by the citizens. Environmental party head Marine Tondelier expressed shock Macron had provided few concessions to the left, adding that outcomes would be negative.