🔗 Share this article

President Emmanuel Macron has asked his former prime minister to resume duties as head of government only four days after he left the post, sparking a period of intense uncertainty and instability.

The president stated on Friday evening, following gathering leading factions collectively at the Élysée Palace, omitting the leaders of the extremist parties.

His reappointment came as a surprise, as he stated on national TV only two days ago that he was not interested in returning and his role had concluded.

It is not even certain whether he will be able to assemble a cabinet, but he will have to hit the ground running. The new prime minister faces a time limit on the start of the week to present the annual budget before parliament.

Leadership Hurdles and Economic Pressures

The presidency announced the president had assigned him to build a cabinet, and Macron's entourage indicated he had been given full authority to act.

The prime minister, who is one of the president's key supporters, then issued a detailed message on social media in which he consented to as an obligation the assignment given to him by the president, to do everything to provide France with a budget by the December and tackle the everyday problems of our countrymen.

Partisan conflicts over how to lower France's national debt and balance the books have resulted in the resignation of multiple premiers in the last year, so his task is daunting.

France's public debt earlier this year was close to 114% of economic output (GDP) – the third largest in the euro area – and current shortfall is expected to hit 5.4% of GDP.

The premier said that “no-one will be able to shirk” the necessity of repairing government accounts. With only 18 months before the conclusion of his term, he advised that prospective ministers would have to put on hold their presidential ambitions.

Ruling Amid Division

Compounding the challenge for the prime minister is that he will face a show of support in a legislative body where the president has is short of votes to support him. Macron's approval reached its lowest point in the latest survey, according to research that put his approval rating on just 14%.

Jordan Bardella of the National Rally party, which was left out of consultations with political chiefs on the end of the week, said that the decision, by a president “more than ever isolated and disconnected” at the official residence, is a poor decision.

The National Rally would promptly introduce a motion of censure against a failing government, whose only reason for being was dreading polls, Bardella added.

Seeking Support

Lecornu at least knows the pitfalls ahead as he tries to form a government, because he has already used time this week meeting with parties that might join his government.

Alone, the moderate factions lack a majority, and there are divisions within the traditionalists who have helped prop up the administration since he failed to secure enough seats in recent polls.

So he will consider socialist factions for future alliances.

In an attempt to court the left, Macron's team suggested the president was thinking of postponing to portions of his controversial pension reforms enacted last year which raised the retirement age from 62 up to 64.

That fell short of what left-wing leaders desired, as they were hoping he would choose a premier from their camp. The Socialist leader of the leftist party stated without assurances, they would offer no support in a vote of confidence.

Fabien Roussel from the left-wing party stated following discussions that the left wanted genuine reform, and a prime minister from the president's centrist camp would not be accepted by the French people.

Environmental party head Marine Tondelier said she was “stunned” Macron had given minimal offers to the left, adding that the situation would deteriorate.