Lecornu's return was a big surprise, especially after his comments on Wednesday, when he declared that he "was not seeking this position" and that "his mission was complete."
French President Emmanuel Macron has reappointed Sébastien Lecornu as acting Prime Minister, in a surprise move that ended days of speculation and intense negotiations to resolve the country's deep political deadlock.
Just days after Lecornu unexpectedly resigned on Monday, Macron asked him to try again to form a new government.
It is not yet clear whether Lecornu will be able to form a functional government, but he faces great pressure to start. The new prime minister must present next year's budget to parliament by Monday.
After accepting the assignment, Lecornu wrote in X:
"I accept, out of duty, the mission entrusted to me by the President, to do everything possible to deliver a budget for France by the end of the year and to respond to the daily problems of our fellow citizens. We must put an end to this political crisis that is tiring the French people and to this instability that is damaging the image and interests of France."
The announcement was made on Friday evening, after final consultations with representatives of the main political parties in France.
Earlier in the day, President Macron had gathered party leaders at the Élysée Palace with the exception of the radical left-wing party "France Unyielding", LFI, and the far-right "National Rally", RN.
According to the Élysée, the meeting was intended to be "a moment of collective responsibility."
This appointment marks a key moment for Macron's presidency, which ends in 2027.
Without a majority in the National Assembly and facing increasingly strong criticism, both from the opposition and from within his own camp, Macron has very limited room to act politically.
The crisis took on new dimensions this week, when Sébastien Lecornu resigned on Monday, just hours after announcing his new cabinet.
His sudden departure sparked fresh calls from the opposition for Macron to resign or call another snap election.
This turbulent situation began with Macron's surprise decision in June 2024 to dissolve the National Assembly. The snap elections that followed led to a deadlocked parliament, without a clear political majority.
The new prime minister now has to face the same fragmented political scene and pass the highly controversial budget plan for 2026.
The 2026 budget is an urgent matter for France, as the deadline for its submission is October 13.
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