Macron Renominates Lecornu as French Prime Minister Following Days of Political Turmoil

President Emmanuel Macron has asked his former prime minister to return as the nation's premier a mere four days after he resigned, triggering a week of high drama and instability.

Macron stated late on Friday, following consulting with all the main parties collectively at the presidential palace, excluding the figures of the far right and far left.

Lecornu's return came as a surprise, as he declared on national TV recently that he was not “chasing the job” and his “mission is over”.

There is uncertainty whether he will be able to form a government, but he will have to hit the ground running. He faces a cut-off on Monday to present the annual budget before lawmakers.

Leadership Hurdles and Budgetary Strains

Officials announced the president had assigned him to build a cabinet, and his advisors indicated he had been given full authority to proceed.

Lecornu, who is one of a trusted associate, then released a long statement on social media in which he agreed to take on responsibly the assignment entrusted to me by the president, to do everything to provide France with a budget by the end of the year and respond to the everyday problems of our fellow citizens.

Ideological disagreements over how to reduce the country's public debt and cut the budget deficit have resulted in the ouster of several leaders in the last year, so his task is daunting.

Government liabilities recently was close to 114% of economic output (GDP) – the third largest in the currency union – and current shortfall is estimated to hit over five percent of economic output.

Lecornu emphasized that no one can avoid the need of repairing the nation's budget. With only 18 months before the completion of his mandate, he cautioned that anyone joining his government would have to delay their presidential ambitions.

Ruling Amid Division

Compounding the challenge for the prime minister is that he will face a vote of confidence in a National Assembly where Macron has is short of votes to back him. Macron's approval hit a record low in the latest survey, according to a survey that put his approval rating on just 14%.

Jordan Bardella of the right-wing group, which was not invited of Macron's talks with faction heads on Friday, commented that the prime minister's return, by a president increasingly isolated at the official residence, is a misstep.

The National Rally would quickly propose a motion of censure against a doomed coalition, whose only reason for being was dreading polls, he continued.

Seeking Support

The prime minister at least is aware of the challenges he faces as he tries to build a coalition, because he has already devoted 48 hours lately consulting political groups that might join his government.

Alone, the centrist parties cannot form a government, and there are splits within the right-leaning party who have assisted the administration since he lacked support in recent polls.

So he will seek left-wing parties for potential support.

To gain leftist support, Macron's team hinted the president was thinking of postponing to part of his highly contentious retirement changes enacted last year which increased the pension age from 62 up to 64.

The offer was inadequate of what left-wing leaders wanted, as they were anticipating he would appoint a prime minister from their camp. Olivier Faure of the leftist party said lacking commitments, they would withhold backing for the premier.

The Communist figure from the left-wing party said after meeting the president that the progressive camp wanted real change, and a premier from the moderate faction would not be supported by the public.

Greens leader Marine Tondelier remarked she was surprised Macron had provided few concessions to the left, adding that “all of this is going to turn out very badly”.