Macron names Sébastien Lecornu as new French prime minister

French Defence minister Sébastien Lecornu has been appointed prime minister. He is replacing François Bayrou, who resigned after losing a confidence vote in parliament on Monday.

The 39-year-old ally of president Emmanuel Macron has been tasked with building consensus in parliament to pass France’s 2026 budget, which requires 44 billion euros in spending cuts. The failed austerity plans brought down Bayrou’s government after just nine months in office.

Lecornu is seen as a loyal Macron supporter. He played key roles in the president’s 2017 campaign, in handling political unrest (including the “yellow vest” protests), and in France’s response to the war in Ukraine.

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He becomes France’s fifth prime minister since Macron’s re-election in 2022, and the third in a year. The handover of power is expected on Wednesday.

^{France's president Emmanuel Macron speaks with minister of Armed Forces Sebastien Lecornu © Ludovic MARIN / AFP}