EditMacron appoints loyalist Lecornu as PM amid political turmoil and protest threats
By naming a minister from his own camp, Macron appears to have decided to preserve his legacy at all cost
French President Emmanuel Macron named Sébastien Lecornu, a loyalist and former conservative who joined his 2017 presidential campaign, as prime minister on 9 September, signalling his intent to maintain a pro-business agenda despite a fractured parliament and looming social unrest.
Lecornu, 39, becomes Macron’s fifth prime minister in under two years, following the ousting of predecessors like Michel Barnier and Francois Bayrou, both loyalists who failed to navigate France’s polarized political landscape.
The appointment risks further inflaming public discontent, with nationwide “Block Everything” protests planned for 10 September, and a challenging path ahead for Lecornu.
Lecornu’s predecessors, all Macron allies, faced short tenures amid a deeply divided National Assembly, split among leftists, centrists, and the far-right National Rally (RN). Bayrou was toppled on 8 September over his austerity-driven budget plans to address France’s deficit, which nears 6% of GDP – double the EU’s 3% ceiling.
Barnier, too, fell to a no-confidence vote, highlighting the fragility of Macron’s minority government.
Lecornu now inherits this instability, with his appointment prompting immediate backlash from leftist parties, notably France Unbowed, which vowed to file a no-confidence motion against him. However, the motion is unlikely to pass, as RN president Jordan Bardella signalled tentative willingness to cooperate on budget talks, though he emphasized “red lines” against tax hikes, immigration costs, and EU contributions.
In an unusual move, Macron tasked Lecornu with consulting all parliamentary factions to forge compromises on the 2026 budget and other policies before forming a cabinet.
“The President has entrusted me with building a government focused on defending our independence, serving the French people, and ensuring political stability,” Lecornu posted on X, thanking Macron for his confidence.
Yet, his close ties to Macron make consensus-building daunting. Lecornu’s reported rapport with RN leaders Marine Le Pen and Bardella, including a secret dinner last year, may offer a lifeline but leaves his government vulnerable to RN’s unpredictable support, which toppled his predecessors.
Lecornu entered politics canvassing for former President Nicolas Sarkozy when he was 16. He became mayor of a small town in Normandy when he turned 18 and then former President Nicolas Sarkozy’s youngest government adviser at the age of 22.
He left the conservative Les Républicains party to join Macron’s centrist political movement when the president was first elected in 2017. Five years later, he ran Macron’s re-election campaign.
On Wednesday, France is bracing for widespread disruptions from the “Block Everything” (Bloquer Tout) protest movement, a decentralized, anti-austerity initiative that has gained momentum following Macron’s appointment of Lecornu as prime minister. The protests, called by leftist groups, unions, and remnants of the Yellow Vests, aim to halt key infrastructure and express fury over Macron’s pro-business reforms, rising debt, and perceived political dysfunction. While the movement lacks a centralized leadership, it has drawn significant participation, with early actions already underway in cities like Caen and Paris.
Organizers anticipate tens of thousands, possibly up to 80,000 or more, joining in major cities like Paris, Lyon, Marseille, and Toulouse. Tactics include road blockades, school occupations, transport strikes. The CGT union has aligned with the protests and plans further strikes on 1 October, amplifying the pressure on Lecornu’s nascent government. Police have mobilized around 10,000 officers, preparing for potential violence reminiscent of the 2018 Yellow Vests riots, though authorities urge peaceful expression.
Sources: Reuters, French political analyses, and EU statements, edited by g.g.
Caption: File photo. French President Emmanuel Macron (R) and France’s Minister of Armed Forces Sebastien Lecornu (L) leave the annual Bastille Day military parade in Paris, France, 14 July 2025. EPA/MOHAMMED BADRA / POOL
Updated: September 10, 2025 - 07:36
