French President Emmanuel Macron has appointed Defence Minister Sébastien Lecornu as France’s new prime minister, a day after the National Assembly ousted François Bayrou’s government in a vote of confidence.
Lecornu, 39, has been tasked with consulting political parties to secure agreement on the country’s next budget. A former conservative who joined Macron’s party in 2017, he has remained a loyal ally of the president. He is the fifth prime minister since Macron’s second term began in 2022.
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The appointment comes on the eve of mass protests by the “Let’s Block Everything” movement, which has led the government to deploy 80,000 police officers nationwide.
Lecornu, who has held local office and served as a lawmaker, has worked in multiple Macron governments. He became France’s youngest defence minister in 2022, overseeing support for Ukraine, France’s military withdrawal from West Africa, and a €413 billion defence budget for 2024–2030.
Macron said Lecornu’s priority will be draughting the national budget. Unusually, the president asked him to consult with political parties first before forming a new government.
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“The prime minister’s action will be guided by the defence of our independence and our power, serving the French and the political and institutional stability for the unity of our country,” Macron said in a statement.
Esther Ososanya is an investigative journalist with Pinnacle Daily, reporting across health, business, environment, metro, Fct and crime. Known for her bold, empathetic storytelling, she uncovers hidden truths, challenges broken systems, and gives voice to overlooked Nigerians. Her work drives national conversations and demands accountability one powerful story at a time.
