President Emmanuel Macron has appointed Defence Minister Sébastien Lecornu as the new Prime Minister of France.
The Élysée Palace announced on Tuesday that Macron has tasked Lecornu with consulting political forces represented in parliament to agree on a budget and essential arrangements for upcoming decisions. Following these discussions, Lecornu will be responsible for proposing a government to the President.
According to the Presidential Palace, the Prime Minister’s actions will be guided by a commitment to serving the citizens of France and promoting political and institutional stability in line with the nation’s unity. Macron expressed confidence that this foundation would facilitate dialogue between political forces, respecting the convictions of each.
The move comes after former Prime Minister François Bayrou failed to win a vote of confidence in the National Assembly on Monday. Lawmakers overwhelmingly rejected Bayrou, ending his nine-month tenure as Prime Minister. The parliamentary dispute primarily revolved around Bayrou’s proposed austerity budget. Since Macron’s snap elections in July 2024, his coalition has lacked a parliamentary majority.
