PARIS (AP) — French President Macron late Tuesday appointed Defense Minister Sébastien Lecornu as France’s new prime minister, tasking him with quickly uniting the country’s political parties to agree on a budget for one of the world’s largest economies.
Lecornu, 39, is the youngest defense minister in French history and was the architect of a significant military buildup through 2030, spurred by Russia’s ongoing war in Ukraine. This marks his appointment as Macron’s fourth prime minister in the span of just one year.
A former conservative who aligned with Macron’s centrist movement in 2017, Lecornu has extensive experience in local government and has held various positions, including managing discontent during Macron’s yellow vest protests. His appointment illustrates Macron's tendency to reward loyalty while addressing the need for continuity in governance amid persistent political turmoil.
The urgency of Lecornu's appointment is amplified by the planned 'Block Everything' protest movement happening in France, prompting the deployment of 80,000 police officers for public safety.
Just prior to Lecornu's rise, Macron’s government faced a vote of confidence that resulted in the ousting of the previous prime minister, François Bayrou, intensifying the political crisis in France. Analysts are concerned that this shift could lead to prolonged legislative deadlock as various challenges loom, including pressing economic issues and international conflicts.
Drafting a budget quickly will be Lecornu's primary focus, as typically a new prime minister would form a government before budget negotiations; however, Macron has urged him to first consult Parliament's political factions for consensus.
Macron declared, “The prime minister’s action will be guided by the defense of our independence and our power, serving the French and the political and institutional stability for the unity of our country.”
Lecornu's past experience includes efforts during the yellow vest protests aimed at reducing tensions across France through dialogue and engagement with the public. His critical 413 billion euros defense package for 2024-2030 is the largest in fifty years and focuses on modernizing the nuclear arsenal and enhancing defense capabilities.
