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President Emmanuel Macron doubled down on his centrist ally Sunday, reappointing Sébastien Lecornu as prime minister and unveiling a 34-member cabinet just hours before a critical budget deadline. The move comes four days after Lecornu resigned following the 14-hour collapse of his first attempt at forming a government, amid a deepening political deadlock in the National Assembly.
Lecornu, a 41-year-old Macron loyalist and former armed forces minister, returns with a lineup heavy on familiar faces from the outgoing administration. Roland Lescure, a close Macron confidant, stays on as finance minister to steer the 2026 budget through parliament by Monday’s cutoff. The cabinet also includes civil society figures and high-ranking officials, signaling Macron’s grip on Matignon despite his party’s minority status post-summer elections. The new team targets a 4.7% deficit for 2025, balancing austerity measures with growth initiatives amid EU scrutiny.
The whirlwind reappointment—delayed until late Friday evening—has drawn sharp criticism as an unprecedented power play. Macron, speaking from Egypt, blamed “destabilizing forces” for the chaos, urging stability as his “duty” while fending off calls for his own resignation. Lecornu is set to deliver his general policy declaration to the Assembly on Monday afternoon, where opposition lawmakers plan immediate scrutiny.
Far-left leader Jean-Luc Mélenchon labeled the setup a “comedy government” and filed a no-confidence motion, vowing to topple it alongside demands for Macron’s ouster. La France Insoumise (LFI) deputies, including Jérôme Legavre and Claire Lejeune, echoed the call, decrying austerity, climate inaction and democratic contempt. On the right, National Rally figures demanded snap legislative elections, with users on X amplifying the uproar: “Lecornu 2, barely appointed, censored Tuesday?” one post queried, while another fumed, “Macron, officially crazy?”
The Socialist Party (PS) escalated internal rifts by expelling deputy Laurent Panifous for joining Lecornu’s team, underscoring the left’s refusal to prop up the regime. LFI’s refusal to back National Rally motions highlights fragile “republican front” fault lines, with some accusing the party of prioritizing ideology over regime change.
France’s political turmoil traces back to July’s legislative vote, which left no clear majority and triggered Lecornu’s initial 27-day stint. With the budget looming, failure could force emergency powers or fresh polls by year’s end. Economists warn of market jitters if the impasse drags on, potentially hiking borrowing costs.
As Lecornu II takes office in subdued fashion, all eyes turn to Tuesday’s budget unveiling.
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