French President Emmanuel Macron has appointed Defence Minister Sébastien Lecornu as the country’s new Prime Minister, following the ousting of François Bayrou in a parliamentary vote of no confidence. Lecornu, 39, a long-time ally of Macron with roots in the conservative Les Républicains party, will be tasked with navigating a fractured political landscape to secure agreements on France’s upcoming budget and other key reforms.
According to the Élysée Palace, Macron has instructed Lecornu to begin by consulting all political forces represented in Parliament to “build the agreements essential for the decisions of the coming months.” Once these discussions are complete, Lecornu will propose a new government lineup to the president.
The appointment comes at a time of heightened political tension. France’s public debt has reached 114% of GDP, and the previous prime minister’s aggressive €44 billion cost-cutting plan failed to win parliamentary support. Lecornu’s immediate challenge will be to craft a 2026 budget that can pass without a clear majority, while avoiding the political pitfalls that brought down his predecessor.
Mixed Political Reactions Bruno Retailleau, leader of Les Républicains and outgoing Interior Minister, welcomed the appointment, expressing readiness to “find agreements” with Lecornu to build what he called a “national majority.” He also noted relief that a socialist prime minister had not been chosen.
In contrast, the far-right Rassemblement National (RN) was sharply critical. Its president accused Macron of sticking to “a team that loses” and questioned how a loyalist could break from the policies of the past eight years. RN leaders vowed to judge Lecornu strictly on his actions, particularly regarding the budget, and warned they would oppose any plan that crossed their “red lines.”
A Loyalist with a Strategic Mandate Lecornu, who began his political career as a teenage campaigner for former President Nicolas Sarkozy, has served in multiple ministerial roles and ran Macron’s 2022 re-election campaign. As Defence Minister, he oversaw increased military spending and played a role in shaping European security policy on Ukraine.
His appointment signals Macron’s intent to maintain continuity in his pro-business economic reform agenda, despite growing public discontent and looming nationwide protests. Whether Lecornu can bridge France’s deep political divides and secure the parliamentary backing needed for his budget will be the first major test of his premiership.
