Sébastien Lecornu Appointed Prime Minister by Macron to Steer Through Crisis
PARIS, September 9, 2025 -French President Emmanuel Macron has appointed Defense Minister Sébastien Lecornu as the country’s new Prime Minister in a deliberate effort to break the legislative impasse and approve a crucial budget. The election comes after former Prime Minister François Bayrou was dismissed by a score of 364 to 194 in a vote of confidence in the National Assembly.
The quick transfer of power, with a formal handover expected for Wednesday, represents Macron’s fourth—and some argue fifth—prime ministerial shift in less than two years, highlighting France’s profound and ongoing political instability.
A Strategic and Unconventional Mandate
President Macron has appointed Prime Minister-designate Lecornu a particular purpose before publicly declaring his government, which is uncommon. According to an official statement from the Élysée Palace, Lecornu has been directed to immediately begin talks with opposition parties in order to reach an achievable conclusion on the disputed 2026 budget.
This unusual strategy highlights the fragile balance of power in the National Assembly and Macron’s pressing need to secure a parliamentary majority for his economic plan. The budget, which included strict cost reductions and debt-reduction measures, was the primary reason for Bayrou’s downfall.
Who Is Sébastien Lecornu?
At 39 years old, Sébastien Lecornu becomes France’s youngest Prime Minister in decades. A longtime Macron loyalist, he is a seasoned crisis manager with a reputation for resolve. His most recent role as Defense Minister saw him overseeing a historic €413 billion military modernization program, navigating complex European security challenges following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
Lecornu’s background in politics is on the traditional right, although he joined Macron’s centrist Renaissance movement in 2017. His cabinet experience is vast, having previously served as Minister for Local Authorities and Overseas Territories, where he handled the critical “Yellow Vest” discussions and disturbances in Guadeloupe. His experience navigating domestic difficulties is believed to have influenced his nomination for the leadership.
Navigating a Perilous Political Landscape
Lecornu inherits a country on the edge of a legislative impasse. So far, President Macron stays away from dissolving the National Assembly and calling quick elections, a risky choice that may give the extreme right an advantage.
The incoming prime minister has two immediate challenges:
- Build a Coalition: Reach an agreement with opposing factions to approve the budget.
- Form a Government: Choose a cabinet that can command respect and stability.
Early signs indicate a complex route. Marine Le Pen, the head of the far-right National Rally (RN), warned that her party would provide conditional support for the budget, viewing it as a chance for gaining power. However, substantial disagreements over tax and immigration policies remain important hurdles.
On the other hand, the left has reacted with hostility. Green Party leader Marine Tondelier criticized Macron’s unilateral appointment, claiming that “the answer is in the streets,” while hard-left leader Jean-Luc Mélenchon denounced the decision as an insult to democratic traditions.
Public Unrest and the Road Ahead
The timing of Lecornu’s appointment is critical. It comes shortly before planned nationwide “Block Everything” protests, a decentralized movement that threatens to disrupt schools, transportation, and other services. The government has actively deployed 80,000 police personnel to keep order, indicating that there would be major civil disobedience.
Sébastien Lecornu assumes his post at a critical moment for France. His success is dependent on his ability to adapt his knowledge in military and crisis management into effective political negotiation. The destiny of his premiership, as well as the stability of Macron’s last term, will be determined by his ability to bridge major ideological gaps, enact a budget, and suppress expanding popular unrest.
