Macron Picks Sebastien Lecornu as France's New Prime Minister

French President Emmanuel Macron has chosen Sebastien Lecornu, a close ally and former defense minister, as the country’s new prime minister. This marks Macron’s fifth prime minister in less than two years, following the collapse of Francois Bayrou’s government due to a no-confidence vote in parliament.

Bayrou’s push for steep budget cuts to tackle France’s growing debt sparked the crisis. At 39, Lecornu, who shifted from the conservative party to Macron’s centrist movement in 2017, now faces the tough job of uniting a divided National Assembly to pass a 2026 budget.

Lecornu’s appointment shows Macron is sticking with his pro-business plans, like tax breaks for companies and the wealthy, plus a higher retirement age. But picking a loyalist could fuel public anger, as many French people are frustrated with the country’s political chaos, according to recent polls.

• Macron Appoints Sebastien Lecornu as France’s New Prime Minister Amid Political Turmoil
• Sebastien Lecornu Faces Challenge of Uniting National Assembly and Tackling Debt Crisis
• France’s Fifth PM in Two Years: Macron Chooses Loyalist Lecornu to Lead Pro-Business Agenda

Left-wing groups, like France Unbowed, slammed the decision and quickly announced a no-confidence motion against Lecornu. However, the far-right National Rally’s leader, Jordan Bardella, hinted at supporting budget talks, which might keep Lecornu in place for now.

Macron has asked Lecornu to work with all political parties to find common ground before building a cabinet—a rare move in French politics.  “The President has entrusted me with building a government focused on defending our independence, serving the French people, and ensuring stability,” Lecornu wrote on X. His top priority is tackling France’s deficit, which is nearly double the EU’s 3% GDP limit, amid a debt crisis threatening the euro zone’s second-biggest economy.

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Lecornu, who started his political career campaigning for Nicolas Sarkozy at 16, is known for his adaptability. As defense minister, he led a major military expansion through 2030, driven by Russia’s war in Ukraine. But his appointment has sparked backlash, with left-wing groups planning “Block Everything” protests across France on Wednesday. Lecornu’s ability to bridge deep political divides will be crucial in steering France through this stormy period.