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France's reappointed PM Lecornu calls for calm amid political chaos

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  Published in Politics and Government on Saturday, October 11th 2025 at 12:40 GMT by The Irish News
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France’s Reappointed Prime Minister Calls for Calm Amid Political Chaos

After a tumultuous year of political uncertainty and a snap parliamentary election that saw the far‑right National Rally make significant gains, President Emmanuel Macron re‑appointed Élisabeth Borne as France’s prime minister on 30 May 2023. In a televised address to the nation, Borne urged French citizens to remain calm, to cooperate across party lines, and to focus on the country’s economic recovery and social cohesion.

Background to the Reappointment

Borne, who has been a seasoned civil servant and cabinet minister since 2017, first served as minister for the Ecological Transition, and later as minister of Labour and Employment under successive governments. She became prime minister in May 2022 following a parliamentary vote of no confidence against her predecessor, Jean‑Loup Mélenchon’s rival. The political climate was highly unstable: President Macron’s coalition of the centrist Renaissance party, the socialist Party of the Left, and the green Europe‑Citizens for France coalition had been holding together by a fragile majority that collapsed after the unexpected 2022 legislative elections.

In the March 2023 elections, the far‑right National Rally, led by Marine Le Pen, won 26.9 % of the vote, the highest share for any party since World War II. The “Rally for France” movement, a centrist coalition of former Socialist, Democratic, and La République En Marche! supporters, also lost ground. The results forced President Macron to call for new elections in May, but the Parliament failed to produce a stable majority, leading to the re‑appointment of Borne as a compromise candidate.

Key Messages in Borne’s Address

Borne opened her speech with a call to “remain united and calm” as the country faced “a moment of uncertainty but also of opportunity.” She highlighted three priority areas:

1. Economic Recovery – Borne urged the government to accelerate post‑pandemic economic growth, to support small and medium‑sized enterprises (SMEs), and to keep France competitive in a globalised market. She announced a package of fiscal measures aimed at reducing the national deficit by 0.5 % of GDP over the next three years.

2. Social Cohesion – She pledged to work with local authorities to tackle social inequality, particularly in the banlieues, where unemployment remains high. Borne promised new investment in public housing and job training programmes.

3. European Unity – Borne reaffirmed France’s commitment to the European Union, calling for “a common, inclusive, and prosperous Europe.” She stressed that the government would push for reforms in the EU’s economic governance and climate policies.

Throughout the speech, Borne referenced her previous experience as a public servant, saying that “the government must be a model of professionalism and transparency.” She also noted that her cabinet would be composed of technocrats and experienced politicians from both sides of the aisle, “to give the French people confidence that their leaders are working for the common good.”

Political Reactions

The call for calm was met with mixed reactions from opposition leaders. Marine Le Pen’s National Rally welcomed Borne’s promise to address unemployment but criticized her as “too moderate” and urged the government to take a tougher stance on immigration. Meanwhile, the socialist party’s spokesperson, Jean‑Pierre Sébastien, welcomed the emphasis on social cohesion but cautioned that the government’s new plan would need to be “more than rhetoric.” President Macron, who delivered a brief message of support to Borne in the same broadcast, emphasized the necessity of “unity and solidarity” for France’s future.

Implications for France’s Political Landscape

The re‑appointment has several implications. First, it restores a degree of stability to the French government, allowing it to pursue its legislative agenda without the immediate threat of a vote of no confidence. Second, it signals to the European Parliament that France remains committed to a collaborative approach to EU policy, especially as the EU negotiates its post‑Brexit trade agreements. Third, Borne’s emphasis on a “technocratic” cabinet may set a precedent for future governments to prioritize expertise over partisan politics.

Conclusion

In the weeks following her re‑appointment, Borne is expected to convene emergency cabinet meetings to draft new economic stimulus packages, and to negotiate with opposition parties to secure a working majority on key reforms. Her appeal for calm, while grounded in pragmatic policy goals, will be tested by the lingering political tensions that defined France’s recent electoral cycle. The world will watch closely to see whether Borne’s leadership can restore confidence in France’s political system and guide the country through a period marked by both economic challenges and a shifting political landscape.