Sebastien Lecornu’s reappointment has occurred amidst significant political unrest, with the Prime Minister indicating his continued service is contingent on favorable conditions.
French Prime Minister Sebastien Lecornu, recently reinstated, has once more warned that his period in power could be brief unless the political climate stabilizes.
President Emmanuel Macron brought Lecornu back into the role on Friday, a mere four days after the ex-armed forces minister stepped down due to profound political instability.
Lecornu admitted widespread hesitation to assume the position and cautioned that his term would only endure as long as he commanded sufficient governing support.
Despite his return, Lecornu declared he “had no specific agenda,” during a press conference on Saturday. He added, “My only ambition is to navigate through this period, which is undeniably challenging for all involved.”
Lecornu’s return to office followed the swift collapse of his previous administration, which lasted only weeks, largely due to an inability to forge viable alliances within a fractured National Assembly.
During his public address, Lecornu urged political parties to cease what he termed the “absurd display” of partisan deadlock. He underscored the critical importance of approving a national and social security budget before the year concludes, in order to address France’s expanding fiscal shortfall.
Lecornu’s initial tenure as prime minister extended for a mere 27 days, marking it as the briefest in modern French history. His resignation came only hours after presenting his cabinet, as he cited that the necessary conditions for governance had ceased to exist.
“I resigned last Monday because the necessary conditions were absent,” the prime minister reiterated. He cautioned, “Should those conditions again be unmet, I would depart.”
Lecornu now faces a challenging parliamentary environment. Prominent opposition factions from both the left and right have committed to opposing him in votes, while crucial centrist and right-wing entities have declined to participate in his cabinet, instead providing only conditional legislative backing.
Aside from his admonitions, Lecornu’s immediate task is to guide the 2026 budget through this fractured legislative body. He has also indicated a willingness to discuss contentious reforms, particularly regarding pensions, provided that such deliberations are practical.