France’s New Government Amid Political Uncertainty
France’s newly re-appointed Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu announced the formation of a new government on Sunday evening, as he faces mounting pressure to swiftly present a budget and resolve the ongoing political crisis that has gripped the nation. This marks Lecornu’s second attempt at forming a government in under a month, following his initial appointment a week earlier, which was quickly abandoned due to protests from a key conservative coalition member.
The previous government faced significant challenges, leading to days of political instability. Now, with 34 ministers in place, Lecornu’s new administration includes several individuals who have served in prior governments, representing both Macron’s centrist faction and allied conservatives, as well as some newcomers from outside traditional politics.
Key Appointments and Responsibilities
Among the notable appointments is former Labour Minister Catherine Vautrin, who now serves as Defence Minister. Her role involves overseeing France’s military support for Ukraine and addressing security threats from Russia. Laurent Nunez, the Paris police chief who managed security during the 2024 Olympics, has been appointed as Interior Minister, tasked with maintaining national security. Roland Lescure takes on the crucial role of Finance Minister, responsible for drafting a budget that addresses rising debt and poverty levels.
Several high-profile figures have retained their positions, including Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot, who will accompany President Macron to Egypt on Monday for an international ceremony commemorating the Gaza ceasefire.
Political Tensions and Challenges
Despite these changes, the stability of the new government remains uncertain. President Macron, whose term ends in 2027, lacks a majority in the deeply fragmented parliament and is experiencing declining support within his own party. Meanwhile, Marine Le Pen’s far-right National Rally party is pushing for new elections, while the hard-left France Unbowed movement is calling for Macron to step down.
The conservative Republicans party has already announced it will expel six members who agreed to join the government. On social media, Le Pen stated that the party will call for a vote of no confidence against the government on Monday. France Unbowed also issued a warning, with leader Mathilde Panot advising “newcomers” to “don’t unpack your boxes too quickly… Censorship is coming.”
The Socialist Party has taken a more cautious approach, with its leader Olivier Faure simply stating “No Comment” on social media.
A Mission-Driven Approach
Sébastien Lecornu was re-appointed as prime minister on Friday and has been working diligently to appoint key cabinet members before the deadline for presenting the budget on Monday. In a statement on social media, Lecornu emphasized that the new government is “mission-driven,” aiming to provide France with a budget before the end of the year.
He expressed gratitude to those who have freely committed to the government, regardless of personal or partisan interests. “Only one thing matters: the interests of the country,” he wrote. The transition of power will be conducted “sober, without press and without guests,” according to the Prime Minister’s office.