French President Emmanuel Macron has picked Defence Minister Sebastien Lecornu, aged 39, as France’s new Prime Minister, the fifth in less than two years. The decision was taken following the forced resignation of Francois Bayrou after a failed confidence vote.
A former conservative who joined Macron’s centrist movement in 2017, Lecornu has experience working on several key posts, including defence, local authorities and overseas matters. As defence minister, he headed a €413 billion military build-up through 2030 in response to Russia’s war on Ukraine.
A trusted ally of Macron
Lecorno’s immediate task is to broker an agreement on the 2026 budget ahead of forming his cabinet, something recent premiers were not able to do. His known strategy of dialogue and consensus-building during France‘s Yellow Vest “great debate’’ and during unrest in Guadeloupe demonstrates his political skills.
Political journey of Lecornu
Born in 1986 in Eaubonne, Lecornu made an entry in public service at a young age and became the youngest parliamentary assistant in the National Assembly at the age of 19, and later he became the youngest ministerial adviser at 22 during the tenure of Niclos Sarkozy. Over the years, he also worked as Secretary of State for Ecological Transition, Minister for Local Authorities and Minister of the Overseas before his appointment as Defence Minister in 2022, as per a Guardian report.
His stint has been marked by handling complex domestic as well as international challenges, from territorial protests to projecting France’s military standing in Europe.
Lecornu is a seasoned politician and is also a loyalist of Macron. His appointment indicates Macron’s intention to preserve his agenda and maintain stability in politically volatile France.
As per an Associated Press report, Macron’s decision to elevate Lecornu as prime minister came as France braces for a nationwide protest campaign called “Block Everything”, set to bring widespread disruption on Wednesday. The government has responded by deploying a force of 80,000 police to maintain order. His appointment has taken place at a time when France is facing budget strains, the wars in Ukraine and Gaza and changing US policies under US President Donald Trump.