French politics has descended into near-farce. In the space of weeks, Macron has presided over a carousel of resignations, dismissals, and now the unorthodox reappointment of a prime minister who had just walked away.
What should have been a moment to reset his presidency has instead exposed the chaotic mechanics of the Fifth Republic in its current state: a hyper-presidency without a parliamentary majority, lurching from one improvisation to the next.
A gamble on continuity—amid fragmentation
Sébastien Lecornu’s return to Matignon—the seat of the premiership—is more than mere political theatre. Behind the move lies a strategic calculation by Macron. With a severely fractured Parliament and crucial budget approval looming, Macron evidently judged that the known quantity of Lecornu offered fewer unknowns than launching a fresh face into the turmoil. The president’s circle reportedly granted Lecornu “carte blanche” to negotiate his cabinet formation and advance the 2026 budget.
But the context is grim: Macron is presiding over what many observers call “France’s worst political crisis in decades.” His gamble in calling last year’s legislative elections backfired, yielding a hung parliament split into three ideologically opposed blocs. The resulting fragmentation makes stable policymaking exceedingly fragile—a liability especially dangerous in times of fiscal crunch and social skepticism.
So Macron’s recalibration via Lecornu signals an attempt to reclaim control, but it places the burden of execution onto a prime minister with limited room to maneuver.
Parliament in revolt
Unsurprisingly, Lecornu’s reappointment sparked outrage on both the left and right. The National Rally’s leader Jordan Bardella called it a “democratic disgrace” and a humiliation for the French people. Left-wing parties were equally livid—especially since Macron overlooked them when naming the prime minister, prompting accusations of executive unilateralism and contempt for plural dialogue.
The backlash taps into a longstanding narrative in France: that of hyper-presidency. Since the establishment of the Fifth Republic, presidents have wielded comparatively strong powers—yet when such powers appear to override representative middle-ground compromises, they evoke suspicion and resistance. Macron, despite a track record of centrist reformism, has increasingly faced accusations of governing by decree or near-decree, especially when legislative support falters.
Facing this opposition, Lecornu must bridge a deep divide, yet his mandate is inherently constrained: political adversaries question not only his legitimacy but also his capacity to deliver.
The budget, the deficit, and the pension debate
The immediate test for Lecornu will be the 2026 budget. In the House, consensus is elusive. Macron’s government has floated a projected deficit of 4.7 to 5 percent—nearly double the EU’s limit. Meanwhile, France’s central bank governor warned that ongoing political instability could shave 0.2 percentage point off GDP growth.
Close to the heart of the political friction is Macron’s 2023 pension reform, which raised the retirement age—a deeply polarizing measure. The left demands repeal; conservatives resist tax hikes. Macron offered to delay raising the retirement age to 64 until 2028, but critics deemed the measure insufficient.
Lecornu, in his public statement, acknowledged that ministers would have to renounce presidential ambitions in the next election. But this self-service restriction masks a deeper issue: any government now must thread an almost impossible needle—reconciling demands for social justice, fiscal responsibility, and political viability.
If Parliament fails to pass a budget in time, the government may be forced to rely on emergency legislation or roll-over funding measures. In other words, governance could slide into constitutional and technocratic limbo.
Macron’s presidency under strain
That Macron resorted to reappointing a resigned prime minister is itself a signal of weakness. His original choice to reshuffle was likely intended to refresh his leadership market before the 2027 presidential contest. But instability had other ideas. France has already seen three prime ministers in less than a year. That churn is emblematic of a presidency increasingly overmatched by political fragmentation.
The reappointment underscores Macron’s shrinking room for maneuver. He is reliant on alliances across blocs and must placate contending factions. His earlier gambit—calling early elections—has effectively surrendered legislative stability to political forces he hoped to manage. Now, he must rely on post-facto coalition-building rather than drawing a fresh majority.
Moreover, Macron’s stature is at risk. Repeated failures to build durable consensus make him appear reactive and adrift—rather than in control or visionary. For opponents across the spectrum, the spectacle of uncertainty strengthens accusations of elitism, technocratic arrogance, and democratic disconnection.
Scenarios ahead: inheritance of instability
The road forward is treacherous:
Budget deadlock. If the National Assembly rejects Lecornu’s proposals, emergency instruments may be needed, further aggravating tensions between the executive and the legislature.
Snap elections. If legislative paralysis becomes untenable, Macron may be pressured into dissolving Parliament. But that move risks empowering the far right—one of his sternest critics and electoral adversaries.
Weak minority government. Lecornu may limp along with a “confidence-based” or patchwork coalition, surviving on ad hoc support. But such a government would be highly vulnerable to internal dissent and external shocks.
Constitutional strain. Continued reliance on special powers or roll-over budgets could raise constitutional or political legitimacy questions—especially if key parts of the electorate view Parliament as overridden.
In any case, Lecornu’s second tenure will be measured less by grand reform than by survival. His legitimacy already challenged, he must contend with fundamental cleavages in French society over pension rights, taxation, social equity, and national direction.
A presidency at a crossroads
Macron’s move to reappoint Lecornu is not a confident reset—it is cautious backpedaling. The choice reflects a president under siege, boxed in by his own political decisions and structural constraints. He has recoiled from radical change and opted for the familiar, hoping it offers better odds in a volatile climate.
Yet the strategy is fraught. The antagonism from left and right shows the limits of executive reach. The parliamentary calculus remains volatile. The electorate is watching. To survive, Lecornu must master negotiation where Macron has stumbled—and salvage governance from deepening dysfunction.
In reassigning his former prime minister, Macron may have bought time. But he has not solved the deeper issue: control over a fragmented Parliament, an emboldened opposition, and a nation increasingly skeptical of top-down rule. The battles ahead—over budget, legitimacy, and leadership—will determine not just Lecornu’s fate, but the shape of French governance in the run-up to 2027.
