French President Emmanuel Macron has brought back his centrist ally Sébastien Lecornu as Prime Minister. Lecornu resigned days earlier after his new government fell in just 14 hours.

Lecornu said he accepted the role “out of duty”. He promised to do “everything possible to provide France with a budget by the end of the year and to address the daily life issues of our fellow citizens.”

Defending Macron, Renaissance party MP Shannon Seban called Lecornu’s return vital for “stability”. Former Prime Minister and outgoing education minister Élisabeth Borne said it could “build compromise for France.”

Opposition reacts strongly

Opposition parties criticized Macron. They said he refused to include broader political views despite a divided parliament. Macron has only 18 months left in office.

Lecornu now must form a government with new faces and diverse viewpoints. Many see this as a difficult task.

Jordan Bardella, president of Marine Le Pen’s far-right National Rally, called Lecornu’s return a “bad joke”, a “shame on democracy”, and a “humiliation for the French people.” He said his party will support a no-confidence vote soon.

Left-wing parties also criticized the move. The Socialist Party said it had made “no deal” to avoid a no-confidence vote. Green Party leader Marine Tondelier called Lecornu’s reappointment “incredible.”

The 14-hour government

Macron faces the worst domestic crisis since 2017. Lecornu resigned just 14 hours after forming a new government. He quit before attending a cabinet meeting or giving a policy speech to parliament. Opposition backlash followed his refusal to broaden the government.

Weeks earlier, François Bayrou was ousted over proposed budget cuts.

Lecornu, 39, previously served as France’s defence minister, known for boosting military spending. He became the third Prime Minister in a year, highlighting the country’s political instability since Macron’s snap election gamble last year.

Political deadlock and budget challenge

The French parliament is divided into three blocs: left, far-right, and centre. No group has a clear majority. The immediate task is to approve next year’s budget within weeks. Political disagreements and the lack of a stable government make it difficult.

Lecornu’s return followed a day of tense talks at the presidential palace. Opposition parties left feeling unheard, with one attendee saying it was like “talking to a wall.”

Macron’s approval rating has dropped to historic lows. Essayist Alain Minc told BFMTV that Macron is now “politically radioactive.”