Macron Reappoints Lecornu Amid Political Turmoil as Party Divisions Deepen
President Macron reappoints Sébastien Lecornu as Prime Minister amid party dissent and ongoing political crisis, highlighting fractures within France's political landscape and debates over pension reforms.
- • Emmanuel Macron reappointed Sébastien Lecornu as Prime Minister despite prior resignation and controversy.
- • Édouard Philippe's party Horizons threatens to leave the government over pension reform disagreements.
- • The Socialist Party expressed disappointment with Macron's answers and may pursue censure if reforms are not addressed.
- • Opposition parties, including LFI and Republicans, criticize the government and question existing political coalitions.
Key details
Amid ongoing political turmoil in France, President Emmanuel Macron reappointed Sébastien Lecornu as Prime Minister on October 10, 2025, after Lecornu's recent resignation sparked intense debate. The announcement followed a tense meeting at the Élysée Palace, where Macron engaged with party leaders, excluding the National Rally and La France Insoumise (LFI), to discuss the government’s future and the possibility of avoiding dissolution of the National Assembly.
Despite Macron’s efforts, key political factions expressed dissatisfaction with the developments. Édouard Philippe's party, Horizons, reportedly threatened to withdraw from the government if their conditions on pension reforms—especially disagreements over delaying the retirement age—are not met, reflecting unease among Macron's allies. While Gabriel Attal of Renaissance voiced support for Lecornu despite earlier calls for an independent Prime Minister, Horizons remains hesitant about joining the administration until Lecornu’s appointment is confirmed.
The Socialist Party (PS), led by Olivier Faure, expressed disappointment after talks with Macron, citing a lack of concrete answers on critical issues like pension reform. Faure warned of possible censure motions if the government fails to address these concerns adequately. Boris Vallaud, a PS deputy, criticized Macron for deferring decisions to the new Prime Minister, lamenting the absence of clear commitments.
Meanwhile, opposition voices remain vocal. Manuel Bompard, LFI national coordinator, condemned the government's handling as “pathetic” and called for Macron's resignation. On the right, Bruno Retailleau declared the dissolution of the centrist 'socle commun' coalition, highlighting the shifting political alliances.
Macron indicated optimism about finding a "possible path" to compromise with various parties to avoid Assembly dissolution. However, with several parties reassessing their roles and potential participation in the government, the political environment remains highly fluid, with preparations underway for possible legislative elections.
This situation marks a critical junction for Macron’s presidency as he navigates internal party fractures and broad opposition challenges while seeking stability in a volatile political landscape.