France’s New Government: Lecornu Unveils Cabinet Amid Political Turmoil and No-Confidence Threat
In a move to stabilize his administration, French President Emmanuel Macron has reappointed Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu, who has now unveiled a new 34-member cabinet. The government, announced Sunday evening, is composed largely of familiar faces from Macron’s centrist coalition and allied conservatives, with a few key newcomers from outside politics. This reshuffle comes at a critical juncture, with the government under intense pressure to pass a crucial budget and navigate a volatile political landscape.
The formation of this second cabinet in just one month highlights the fragility of Macron’s parliamentary majority and the urgent need to project an image of unity and competence.
Key Appointments: Continuity and Strategic Shifts
The new ministerial lineup features several high-profile appointments aimed at ensuring continuity in key areas while addressing pressing national priorities:
Catherine Vautrin as Defence Minister: Moving from her previous role as Minister of Labour, Vautrin now takes on one of Europe’s most significant defence portfolios. Her appointment is pivotal, given France’s leading role in supporting Ukraine and its broader NATO and regional security responsibilities.
Laurent Nunez as Interior Minister: Nunez, who successfully led Paris’s security operations during the 2024 Olympics, is now tasked with national domestic security. His experience in managing large-scale security operations will be immediately relevant.
Roland Lescure as Finance Minister: Lescure assumes the critical role of steering France’s economy, with the immediate challenge of shaping a national budget amid rising public debt and ongoing social pressures.
Jean-Noël Barrot Continues as Foreign Minister: Barrot’s retention signals continuity in foreign policy. He is scheduled to accompany President Macron to Egypt for an international summit related to the recent Gaza ceasefire, underscoring France’s active diplomatic role.
Immediate Political Backlash and Instability
The new cabinet has been met with swift and fierce opposition, signaling the turbulent political battles ahead.
The conservative Republicans (LR) party reacted sharply, announcing it would expel six of its members who accepted roles in Lecornu’s government without party authorization. In a more significant escalation, Marine Le Pen of the National Rally declared her intention to file a motion of no confidence as early as Monday. She has also called for the dissolution of the National Assembly to force new legislative elections.
Meanwhile, the left-wing France Unbowed (La France Insoumise) party issued its own warnings. Party leader Mathilde Panot stated on social media, “censure is coming,” and cautioned the new ministers that they would face intense parliamentary scrutiny.
A Government of “Mission” Facing Urgent Deadlines
In response to the criticism, Prime Minister Lecornu has framed his new government as one focused solely on national service. In a post on X (formerly Twitter), he thanked those accepting ministerial roles “regardless of personal or partisan interests,” emphasizing that “only one thing matters: the interests of the country.”
He outlined a sober transition of power, stating it would proceed “without press and without guests,” reflecting the serious challenges at hand. Foremost among these is the pressing constitutional deadline to pass a national budget by the end of the year—a task that will be immensely difficult without a clear parliamentary majority.
Analysis: Challenges for Macron’s New Cabinet
Sébastien Lecornu’s rapid reappointment and the hurried assembly of a new cabinet underscore the deep political crisis facing Macron’s presidency. With his centrist alliance lacking an absolute majority, commentators view this reshuffle as an attempt to consolidate authority and fend off a potential parliamentary collapse.
The path ahead for the new government is fraught with obstacles. Its immediate success hinges on several factors:
Surviving a No-Confidence Vote: The government must rally enough support to defeat the impending motion of no confidence from the opposition.
Budgetary Negotiations: Passing a budget will require complex negotiations and likely significant concessions to opposition parties.
Projecting Stability: The cabinet must manage internal divisions and present a united front to reassure both the public and international markets.
The coming days will be decisive, testing the resilience of Macron’s new government and the stability of the French Fifth Republic itself.
