He Quit on Monday — Macron Just Brought Him Back

French outgoing Prime Minister Sebastien Lecornu makes a statement at the Hotel Matignon, the Prime Minister's residence, Wednesday 8 October 2025 (Stephanie Lecocq/AP Photo)

Paris, France - October 10, 2025 – In a stunning political reversal that has stunned observers and deepened France's ongoing governmental crisis, President Emmanuel Macron reappointed Sébastien Lecornu as prime minister on Friday, only four days after Lecornu dramatically resigned from the same post. The move, announced by the Élysée Palace in a terse statement, comes amid mounting pressure from a fragmented National Assembly and public discontent over budget disputes and economic woes.

Lecornu, a 42-year-old centrist and close Macron ally who had served as defense minister before his brief stint as premier, tendered his resignation on Monday, October 6, citing irreconcilable differences with coalition partners over fiscal reforms. His abrupt exit followed a no-confidence vote that narrowly failed but exposed deep rifts in the centrist bloc, exacerbated by far-right and left-wing opposition."The situation demanded a reset, but stability requires continuity," Macron said in a brief address from the Élysée, tasking Lecornu with forming a new government by next week.

The reappointment has elicited a torrent of reactions. Supporters hailed it as pragmatic leadership in turbulent times, with Lecornu himself vowing to "bridge divides and deliver results" during a press conference at the Matignon.Critics, however, decried it as a desperate bid to cling to power. Marine Le Pen, leader of the National Rally, called it "a farce that mocks democracy," while left-wing firebrand Jean-Luc Mélenchon labeled Macron a "president without a majority, recycling failures."

France's political instability traces back to snap legislative elections in June, which left Macron's Ensemble alliance without an absolute majority, forcing reliance on a fragile pact with moderates.Lecornu's short-lived tenure, lasting just 84 days, was marred by protests over pension reforms and a ballooning deficit projected to hit 6.1% of GDP in 2025, per European Commission estimates.The Élysée hopes the familiar face will expedite a 2026 budget passage, vital for unlocking €10 billion in EU recovery funds.

Markets reacted cautiously, with the CAC 40 index dipping 0.8% on the news, reflecting investor jitters over prolonged uncertainty. As Lecornu assembles his cabinet—expected to include fresh faces from the Renaissance party—the spotlight turns to whether this gamble stabilizes or further erodes Macron's authority ahead of 2027 presidential polls. For now, in the City of Light, the revolving door of power spins on.