Voz media US Voz.us
Apple store Voz-media Play store Voz Media

France: Lecornu announces formation of his second government and new cabinet after meeting with Macron

Sébastien Lecornu, 39, a key ally of Emmanuel Macron, was again confirmed as prime minister after resigning the previous Monday just hours after presenting his first cabinet.

Sebastién Lecornu when he announced his first government in Paris (File).

Sebastién Lecornu when he announced his first government in Paris (File).Eliot Blondet-Pool/SIPA / Cordon Press

Agustina Blanco
Published by
Agustina Blanco

The French presidency announced Sunday the composition of the second cabinet led by Prime Minister Sebastien Lecornu, in an attempt to resolve the protracted political crisis that has been shaking the country for months.

This new executive, described as "more technical," as reviewed by AFP, incorporates profiles with institutional experience and figures from civil society, retaining several ministers from last week's failed attempt, which lasted only 14 hours due to internal dissent within the ruling party.

Lecornu, 39, a key ally of Emmanuel Macron, was confirmed as prime minister once again after resigning the previous Monday, just hours after presenting his first cabinet.

On X, Lecornu noted, "A mission government is appointed to provide France with a budget before the end of the year. I thank the women and men who commit themselves to this government in complete freedom, beyond personal and partisan interests. Only one thing matters: the interest of the country."

The announcement comes at a critical time. The new government faces the immediate threat of a motion of censure and must prioritize the approval of the 2026 budget before Dec. 31 to avoid an institutional deadlock that has raised concerns among businesses and investors about the economic slowdown and the increasing poverty.

The main appointments in the new executive

The new French government combines technical experts, profiles of civil society and ministers who are maintaining their positions.

  • Laurent Nuñez, prefect of the Paris Police and responsible for security at last year's Olympic Games, takes over the Ministry of the Interior, replacing Bruno Retailleau following tensions with The Republicans (LR).
  • Catherine Vautrin, a former labor minister, takes over the Armed Forces and Veterans Affairs portfolio, facing the challenge of managing military support for Ukraine and threats to European security.
  • Roland Lescure continues at the helm of the Ministry of Economy, Finance and Industrial, Energy and Digital Sovereignty, with the mission of containing public debt in a context of economic slowdown.
  • Jean-Pierre Farandou, former president of SNCF, is appointed Minister of Labor and Solidarity, bringing technical expertise from the private sector.
  • Monique Barbut, former director of the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) and a key figure in the Paris Agreement, takes over the Ministry of Ecological Transition, Biodiversity and International Climate and Nature Negotiations.
  • Édouard Geffray, a senior civil servant, replaces Élisabeth Borne at the Ministry of National Education, with a more administrative focus.
  • Catherine Chabaud, a sailor and the first woman to complete the Vendée Globe regatta race in 1996, will be in charge of marine and fisheries issues as deputy minister under Ecological Transition.
  • Serge Papin will lead the Ministry of Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises, Trade, Crafts, Tourism and Purchasing Power.
  • Annie Genevard remains as minister of Agriculture, Agri-Food and Food Sovereignty.

Who retains their positions

    • Jean-Noël Barrot: Foreign Affairs
    • Amélie de Montchalin: Public Accounts
    • Gérald Darmanin: Justice
    • Rachida Dati: Culture
    • Philippe Tabarot: Transports

The deputy ministers highlighted by the new government

  • Laurent Panifous: Relations with Parliament
  • Maud Bregeon: Government spokesman
  • Aurore Bergé: Equality and the fight against discrimination
  • Sébastien Martin: Industry
  • Benjamin Haddad: Europe

The French crisis and the origin of the new government

The crisis originated in the dismissal of François Bayrou as prime minister on Sept. 9 following parliamentary rejection of an austerity budget for 2026 that provided for drastic cuts.

Macron appointed Lecornu on Sept. 10, who formed a first cabinet on Oct. 5, but it collapsed in less than 14 hours due to the revolt of The Republicans (LR) led by Bruno Retailleau.

Thus, Lecornu resigned immediately, aggravating the 25-day political vacuum that had accumulated.

On Friday, Oct. 10, Macron renominated Lecornu with a deadline of 48 hours to constitute a new government and present the budget on Monday, Oct. 13, under pressure to avoid early legislative elections (last in July 2024).

RECOMMENDATION

tracking