Macron appoints former defense minister as France’s new prime minister

Lecornu has become the fifth Prime Minister of France in the past two years. Previous government leaders lost their positions due to failed attempts to pass budgets that aimed for a sharp reduction of the deficit — the largest in the eurozone.

The outlet notes that Lecornu’s appointment coincides with a worsening political crisis. The opposition — from the far-right National Rally to the left-wing Unbowed France — categorically rejects the continuation of Emmanuel Macron’s course and demands early parliamentary elections.

Under these circumstances, to approve the 2026 budget, the new prime minister will have to seek support from at least some opponents or attempt to pass the document without a vote, risking a motion of no confidence.

Macron has tasked Lecornu with consulting parliamentary forces and presenting the composition of the new government. The 39-year-old politician is considered one of the president’s most trusted allies, having remained in Macron’s team since 2017 without interruption in any cabinet formation.

As Bloomberg writes, a former member of the center-right Republicans, Lecornu, strongly supports Macron’s foreign policy line, including a sharp increase in the military budget and support for Ukraine. At the same time, he is known for having good personal contacts with National Rally leader Marine Le Pen, which could help him in negotiations, although the outcome remains uncertain.

Government resignation

Yesterday, September 8, the lower house of the French parliament passed a motion of no confidence against the government led by François Bayrou.

The decision was supported by 194 out of 364 deputies.

More details about the resignation of the French government can be found in the RBC-Ukraine material.