Lecornu returns as French Prime Minister just days after stepping down
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Sebastien Lecornu begins his second attempt, facing a deeply divided parliament, a Monday budget deadline, and opposition threats from the Left and Right.
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French Prime Minister Sebastien Lecornu makes a statement at the Hotel Matignon, the Prime Minister's residence, October 8, 2025. (AP)
Sebastien Lecornu began his second tenure as French Prime Minister on Saturday under intense uncertainty, tasked with forming a new cabinet and presenting a draft budget by a Monday deadline, as opposition parties pledged to topple his government.
French President Emmanuel Macron reappointed Lecornu late Friday, just days after he resigned, citing the impossibility of forming a government capable of passing a slimmed-down 2026 budget through a deeply divided parliament.
Lecornu's 27-day stint marked the shortest in modern French history.
Political uncertainty greets Lecornu’s return
His return comes amid deep political instability, as his second term could face the same turbulence as his first if he fails to secure broad parliamentary backing. Macron’s decision has sparked debate across the political spectrum, with calls from some quarters for fresh elections or the president’s resignation.
Opposition parties across the Left and far-right have signaled they will vote against Lecornu, leaving him reliant on support from the Socialists, whose intentions remain unclear.
Lecornu must submit the draft budget bill to his cabinet and parliament by Monday, requiring at a minimum the appointment of ministers responsible for finance, budget, and social security. Neither the Elysee Palace nor Matignon has provided details on the timing or composition of the cabinet.
In a post on X, Lecornu stressed that cabinet members must renounce personal ambitions to succeed Macron in 2027, pledging a government of “renewal and diversity.”
J’accepte - par devoir - la mission qui m’est confiée par le Président de la République de tout faire pour donner un budget à la France pour la fin de l’année et de répondre aux problèmes de la vie quotidienne de nos compatriotes.
— Sébastien Lecornu (@SebLecornu) October 10, 2025
Il faut mettre un terme à cette crise politique…
“We must put an end to this political crisis that is exasperating the French people and to this instability that is detrimental to France's image and its interests,” he added.
Read more: France faces political freefall as Macron's popularity hits record low
Key policy decisions still unclear
The draft budget is expected to aim for a deficit reduction to 4.7–5% of GDP, slightly higher than the 4.6% target of his predecessor, against a forecast 5.4% deficit this year. It remains uncertain whether Lecornu will repeal Macron’s pension reforms or implement the billionaires’ tax demanded by the Socialists in exchange for parliamentary support.
The proposed Zucman tax is a 2% annual levy on individuals with assets over €100 million, aimed at reducing France’s budget deficit and addressing economic inequality. While the measure enjoys broad public support, it faces opposition from business leaders and some economists, who warn it could discourage investment and trigger capital flight.
Lecornu’s ability to navigate a fractured legislature will be closely watched. The combination of a looming budget deadline, opposition threats, and ongoing policy debates makes his second stint as prime minister immediately precarious and high-stakes.
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