The fifth – in less than two years – and latest to enter through the revolving door of France’s office of prime minister.
Incidentally, Lecornu’s appointment as prime minister came twice – once after the resignation of former prime minister François Bayrou and once after his own resignation last Friday.
As International Insight has previously examined, Bayrou’s resignation was an expected move, particularly in the wake of his highly unpopular plan to slash spending to reduce France’s growing budget deficits.
In addition to reducing spending by 44 billion euros ($51 billion USD), Bayrou sought to reduce the 2026 budget deficit to 4.6% of the nation’s GDP (compared to the current 5.8%) by cutting two public holidays – a move so contentious that Bayrou ultimately held a confidence vote.
Needless to say, Bayrou’s plans did not come to fruition after he lost his confidence vote and resigned from the office of prime minister.
Enter Lecornu.
Upon Bayrou’s resignation on Sept. 9, French president Emmanuel Macron appointed his then-defense minister Lecornu to the vacant office of prime minister. But less than a month after his appointment, Lecornu resigned from the position on Oct. 6, despite appointing his cabinet only the day before and spending only 26 days in office.
Shockingly, mere days after his resignation, on Oct. 10, Macron reappointed Lecornu to the office of prime minister with the hefty task of crafting a budget to present to Parliament by Monday.
Lecornu is also staring down the barrel at not one, but two no-confidence motions, although neither party introducing these motions – the National Rally and France Unbowed parties – have the majority needed to see these motions through, at least without the support of the Socialist Party.
In an attempt to navigate the political unrest plaguing Parliament, Lecornu has promised to suspend the implementation of a highly unpopular pension reform law passed and signed into law in 2023. The pension reform in question, if implemented, would raise the retirement age from 62 to 64. Yet, suspending the reform – according to Lecornu himself in a Tuesday speech – would cost 400 million euros ($463 million USD) in 2026 and almost two billion euros the following year.
Whatever may be the case with the implementation of the pension reform bill, one thing is for certain: Lecornu’s success – or lack thereof – as prime minister will determine the future of Macron’s presidency. As the European nation braces itself for almost two years before the next presidential election, there is much to contend with beyond just the rapid turnover of prime ministers.
In addition to Macron’s failed dissolving of the French Parliament in June 2024 resulting in a so-called political deadlock, France has also been consumed by protests, including the Block Everything campaign in September that sparked antigovernment protests centering on budget cuts and political unrest and the trade union strikes including about 195,000 individuals in October sparked yet again by budget-related concerns.
As the situation in France continues to deteriorate, it’s becoming increasingly apparent that political polarization serves no one, least of all the people politicians are bound to serve. And as France attempts to navigate its increasingly polarized political climate in such a fraught economic situation, it’s crucial to remember – for both politicians and the people – that key role of government: to serve and support the people.
Because recent protests – in both France and across the world – have already shown and as lawmakers would do well to remember, “let them eat cake” can all too quickly devolve into “off with their heads”.
