Macron names loyalist Lecornu as fifth French PM in under two years
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The news: French President Emmanuel Macron has named loyalist Sébastien Lecornu as prime minister, after François Bayrou was ousted in a confidence vote over plans to slash next year’s budget by EUR43.8 billion ($77.9 billion).
The numbers: Lecornu, 39, becomes the fifth prime minister in less than two years and was most recently Macron’s defence minister. His appointment signals continuity and Macron’s determination to press on with a minority government that backs his pro-business economic reform agenda.
The context: Lecornu’s immediate priority will be to forge consensus on the budget, which proved the undoing of Bayrou.
Macron tasked Lecornu with “consulting the political forces represented in parliament” to adopt a 2026 budget and move forward with the business of running the country, Politico reported citing a statement from Macron’s office.
Nationwide “Block Everything” protests are set for Wednesday and threaten widespread disruption. A broader union-led strike is planned for 18 September.
Officials from the far-right National Rally said they could maintain some kind of tacit support for Lecornu, but party president Jordan Bardella warned that any prime minister appointed by Macron “will be brought down.”
