French President Emmanuel Macron on Tuesday appointed Sebastien Lecornu, his close ally and defence minister, as France’s new prime minister, while in Washington U.S. President Donald Trump sought to distance himself from Israel’s controversial strike on Qatar targeting Hamas leaders.
Lecornu, 39, succeeds Francois Bayrou, who was ousted by parliament after his unpopular austerity plans triggered opposition across party lines. A former conservative who joined Macron’s centrist movement in 2017 and later managed his re-election campaign, Lecornu becomes the president’s fifth prime minister in less than two years.
The appointment underscores Macron’s determination to defend his pro-business agenda, including tax cuts and a higher retirement age, despite mounting public discontent.
In an unusual step, Macron asked Lecornu to consult widely with political forces before forming his cabinet, in an attempt to ease tensions in the fractured legislature.
“I have been entrusted with the defense of our independence, our power, and the service of the French people,” Lecornu wrote on X. But leftist parties immediately dismissed his appointment, calling for mass “Block Everything” protests, while the far-right National Rally signaled it might cooperate on the budget under strict conditions.
Lecornu’s first challenge will be passing the 2026 budget to curb a deficit nearly double the EU’s limit. Analysts say his appointment reflects Macron’s desire to cement his economic legacy, even as public anger threatens to boil over.
Source: Reuters
Written By Rodney Mbua
