Sébastien Lecornu Takes Helm as French Prime Minister Amid Political Turmoil and Economic Challenges

A New Chapter in French Politics

French President Emmanuel Macron has appointed Defense Minister Sébastien Lecornu as France’s new prime minister, making him the country’s fourth premier in about a year. At 39, Lecornu was the youngest defense minister in French history and comes from humble beginnings, born to an aeronautical technician father and a medical secretary mother.

Political Crisis and Transition

Lecornu inherits a challenging position, tasked with finding consensus in a divided parliament and passing the 2026 budget. His predecessor, François Bayrou, was forced to step down following a failed confidence vote, having unsuccessfully attempted to convince lawmakers to support public spending cuts to address France’s mounting debt.

Background and Experience

Since leaving The Republicans in 2017, Lecornu has been a member of Renaissance (formerly La République en marche) and has served in various governmental roles, including Secretary of State to the Minister of the Ecological and Inclusive Transition and Minister of the Overseas. As Defense Minister, he championed a significant 413 billion euro defense spending package for 2024-2030, aimed at modernizing France’s nuclear arsenal, augmenting intelligence spending, and developing remote-controlled weapons.

Immediate Challenges

France faces significant financial challenges, with last year’s deficit reaching 5.8% of GDP, nearly double the EU ceiling of 3%, while national debt stands at more than €3.3 trillion, approximately 114% of economic output. Adding to the pressure, Lecornu’s appointment comes ahead of planned mass disruptions by a protest movement called “Block Everything,” prompting the government to deploy 80,000 police to maintain order.

Looking Ahead

Macron has instructed Lecornu to consult with all political parties in Parliament to reach a budget agreement before forming his team. The Prime Minister’s mandate will focus on “the defense of French independence and power, serving the French people and maintaining political and institutional stability for national unity,” according to Macron’s statement.