Sébastien Lecornu Reappointed as French Prime Minister Amid Political Turmoil Over Pension Reform

On October 11, 2025, President Emmanuel Macron officially reappointed Sébastien Lecornu as Prime Minister following Lecornu’s recent resignation, entrusting him with the urgent tasks of forming a new government and presenting the 2026 budget. This reappointment occurs against a backdrop of significant political unrest and sharp divisions surrounding pension reform, a highly contentious issue in France.

Lecornu accepted the role "out of duty" and vowed to establish a government "free from party constraints," emphasizing openness to debate, including on the pension reform. He expressed confidence that should his government face a motion of censure, President Macron would respond by dissolving the National Assembly, stating, "if the conditions were no longer met, I would leave. I will not do anything recklessly."

However, several political forces are preparing to challenge the new government. Left-wing parties, including La France insoumise (LFI), the Socialist Party (PS), and the Communist Party, alongside the far-right Rassemblement National (RN), intend to file motions of censure. Environmentalists also see "no argument against censure," according to Marine Tondelier. Meanwhile, the Republicans (LR) have formally decided not to join Lecornu’s cabinet, citing a lack of trust and unsuitable conditions, although they advocate responsible support to avoid governmental chaos. The Union of Democrats and Independents (UDI) has similarly declined participation but offered limited support.

President Macron previously met with diverse political factions at the Élysée Palace, where skepticism prevailed regarding the government’s direction. Macron acknowledged the difficulty of reconciling differences, especially with pension reforms suspended temporarily, but maintained that "a possible path to weave compromises and avoid dissolution" exists.

Lecornu’s challenge now is to navigate this politically fractured environment, develop a government perceived as independent and open to dialogue, and present a viable budget on Monday. This fragile political landscape raises critical questions about the stability of Macron’s administration ahead of the upcoming presidential election cycle.

In summary, while Sébastien Lecornu’s reappointment offers continuity, the deep divisions over pension reform and the threat of parliamentary censure place his government on precarious footing as it seeks to govern effectively amid mounting opposition.