In a surprising political twist, French President Emmanuel Macron has reappointed Sebastien Lecornu as Prime Minister, just days after accepting his resignation.
The Élysée Palace confirmed the reappointment in a statement on Friday, announcing that Lecornu has been tasked with forming a new government.
“The president of the republic has named Mr. Sébastien Lecornu prime minister and has charged him with forming a government,” the statement read.
The move ends a turbulent week in French politics, marked by internal disagreements and a failed attempt at forming a stable cabinet.
On Sunday night, Lecornu unveiled a cabinet that drew sharp criticism, including from his own Interior Minister, over the inclusion of many close Macron allies.
The backlash led Lecornu to resign on Monday morning, less than 24 hours after the announcement.
Macron accepted the resignation but quickly reversed course, asking Lecornu to lead discussions with opposition parties in a last-ditch attempt to find a viable successor.
After two days of political consultations, Macron opted to bring Lecornu back, a decision viewed by many analysts as a return to the status quo.
This episode is the latest in a string of leadership crises under Macron, who has struggled to maintain political momentum amid a fragmented parliament and growing public dissatisfaction.
The repeated failures to form a lasting government have drawn comparisons to the political gridlock commonly seen in countries like Italy.
Lecornu had initially pledged to break from the approach of his predecessors by building a more inclusive and diverse cabinet.
However, his first selection reportedly included even more Macron loyalists than the president’s original 2017 team, a move seen as tone-deaf in the current polarized climate.
Now, with a second chance to form a government, Lecornu faces pressure to assemble a cabinet that can appease critics, build legislative support, and pass a long-delayed national budget.
After taking nearly a month to assemble his first short-lived cabinet, all eyes in France will be on Lecornu’s next moves.
His ability to form a functioning government this time may determine not only his own political future, but also the stability of Macron’s presidency as it enters its final phase.
