French President Macron REAPPOINTS ally as PM less than a week after bombshell resignation

EMMANUEL Macron has sensationally reappointed Sebastien Lecornu as France’s prime minister – just four days after his stunning resignation.

Lecornu was appointed by the beleaguered president just last month before throwing in the towel after just 27 days – plunging the country into political chaos.

Emmanuel Macron (R) has reappointed Sebastien Lecornu (L) as Prime MinisterAFP

Sebastien Lecornu has been reappointed French PM after his resignation four days agoAFP

Now, the former PM has been thrown back into the fray – and faces getting a budget submitted to divided lawmakers ahead of a tight deadline on Monday.

Macron’s office said: “The President of the Republic has appointed Mr. Sébastien Lecornu as Prime Minister and tasked him with forming a Government.”

Lecornu, 39, spent less than a month in office last time round, and only announced his first ever government last Sunday before it spectacularly collapsed almost immediately.

The farcical development now means Macron has appointed eight prime ministers in less than nine years, with Lecornu being the latest two.

His last appointment led to opposition parties threatening an immediate vote of no confidence.

The French leader will hope the reappointment helps pull France’s political turmoil back from the brink.

Government spokesperson Aurore Bergé said just before the announcement: “This might be the last chance.

“I believe this is the last chance for politicians to regain credibility.”

Bergé also said avoiding a government dominated by Marine Le Pen’s far right National Rally (RN) was also a priority.

“All of this is only strengthening the chances and capabilities of the Far-Right to take power,” she said.

It comes after Macron accepted Lecornu’s letter of resignation on Monday morning.

Lecornu blamed rival political parties’ refusal to change their views for the reason behind his resignation during a public address.

He announced: “I was ready to compromise, but each political party wanted the other political party to adopt its entire program.”

Lecornu served as Minister for the Armed Forces since 2022 before being asked to serve as PM on September 9.

Parisian political rivals threatened to topple the PM’s already struggling government after the cabinet was approved on Sunday.

Both political allies and foes of Lecornu fumed at his choices and criticised it for either being too right-wing or not right-wing enough.

France’s President Emmanuel Macron (R) speaks with France’s former Minister of Armed Forces Sebastien Lecornu (L)AFP

It comes amid French political turmoil and widespread ‘Block Everything’ protestsAlamy

It comes as extremist parties continue to put pressure on France’s political establishment.

President Macron has faced a political crisis since he called an ill-advised snap election last summer.

His centrist bloc lost dozens of seats amid a spike in support for the far-right.

While a left wing coalition came first in the end, no party is anywhere close a majority in the French Parliament.

In France, Prime Ministers are directly appointed by the President and are then responsible for forming a government.

François Bayrou stepped down in September after having only been appointed the December before.

The 74-year-old voluntarily called a confidence motion in the full knowledge he was unlikely to survive in the high-pressure role.

Bayrou’s predecessor Michel Barnier – well known for his past role as the EU’s Brexit negotiator – only lasted three months before he was removed.

Macron himself is now also facing calls for his resignation.

Millions in France regularly take part in strikes and street marches, known as “Block Everything” protests, supported by trade unions.

Despite the fierce opposition, Macron is under no obligation to quit.

He will be forced to step down in 2027 after completing two terms of office – the maximum allowed in France.

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