Instead of letting French voters choose their next government, President Macron appointed a new Prime Minister just hours after François Bayrou’s resignation.
Sebastian Lecornu, the Minister of Armed Services, has been named the new Prime Minister of France, as reported by Le Figaro.
Previously, Lecornu, who has a background in neoliberal policies and is a member of the center-right Les Républicains, joined Macron’s Renaissance faction in 2017. He has served under various prime ministers and will now be the fifth prime minister since Macron’s re-election in 2022 for a second term.
Upon his appointment, Lecornu expressed, “The President has given me the task of forming a government focused on our independence, serving the French people, and ensuring political stability for our nation.”
He also thanked Macron for his trust and recognized Bayrou’s courage in standing by his beliefs until the end.
Lecornu’s swift appointment—within 24 hours of Parliament voting to oust Bayrou—is notable, especially given the struggles to find candidates who could bridge the divides among parties in the French parliament. Gabriel Attal, the leader of the Renaissance faction, had been tasked with appointing mediators to defend the president.
Facing significant challenges, Lecornu’s predecessors struggled to find common ground amid the three-way divide stemming from the left-wing opposition’s performance in last year’s national elections.
While Le Pen has suggested that Macron might have to face voters again in a new legislative election, the president appears reluctant to do so, especially as his support seems to be waning.
Nonetheless, Le Pen has predicted an approaching election, suggesting her party’s Jordan Bardella could become the next prime minister.
“The president exhausted his options within macronism and leaned on his remaining loyalists. After the forthcoming legislative elections, I believe Bardella might take up the role of Prime Minister,” she stated.
Bardella, who is a charismatic 29-year-old and the president of the National Rally, remarked, “Macron’s approach shows that you don’t change a losing team. How can his loyal supporters continue the policies that have been pursued for eight years?”
“Our principles are steadfast, and the interests of the French people guide us. This isn’t about individual figures but rather the policies in play. The new Prime Minister must be judged by his actions and his strategic choices.”
“We will continue to advocate for change on behalf of the numerous French citizens who are yearning for it.”
Meanwhile, some on the political left have expressed outrage that Macron did not choose a Prime Minister from their ranks to replace Bayrou, igniting calls for significant demonstrations against the new cabinet. Additionally, a large-scale union strike is already planned for Wednesday, suggesting rising tensions in the coming days.
