French Government Collapse
French President Emmanuel Macron appointed Sébastien Lecornu, the outgoing defense minister, as prime minister on September 9, 2025, just one day after François Bayrou’s government was ousted in a no-confidence vote. The National Assembly rejected Bayrou’s austerity-driven budget plan by 364 votes to 194, highlighting the legislative impasse that has plagued France since the 2024 snap elections resulted in a hung parliament. Bayrou’s resignation marked the fifth government collapse in less than two years, underscoring the chronic instability stemming from Macron’s weakened centrist bloc and the rise of far-right and far-left factions. Macron’s decision to choose Lecornu, a longtime loyalist, signals his intent to preserve his pro-business agenda despite lacking a parliamentary majority.
Lecornu’s Profile
At 39, Lecornu becomes France’s youngest prime minister in modern history. A former conservative from Les Républicains, he joined Macron’s centrist Renaissance party in 2017 and has held multiple ministerial roles, including Minister of the Armed Forces (2022–2025) and Minister of Overseas Territories (2020–2022). His political career began early: he campaigned for Nicolas Sarkozy at 16, became a mayor in Normandy at 18, and served as Sarkozy’s youngest adviser at 22. As defense minister, Lecornu oversaw a significant military buildup, driven by Russia’s war in Ukraine, and shaped European discussions on security guarantees for Kyiv. His appointment reflects Macron’s preference for loyalty over ideological flexibility, as Lecornu is seen as a "non-presidential" figure with no ambitions to challenge Macron’s authority.
Lecornu's Challenges
Lecornu’s immediate priority is passing the 2026 budget, a task that doomed his predecessors. France’s deficit stands at 5.8% of GDP, nearly double the EU’s 3% ceiling while public debt has reached €3.3 trillion (114% of GDP). Bayrou’s proposed €44 billion in spending cuts faced opposition from both the left, which demanded wealth taxes, and the far-right, which rejected austerity for "hard-working people". Lecornu must now negotiate with fragmented political forces, including Marine Le Pen’s National Rally (RN) and Jean-Luc Mélenchon’s France Unbowed, though neither has offered unconditional support. Meanwhile, social tensions are boiling over: the "Bloquons Tout" ("Block Everything") movement plans nationwide protests on September 10, followed by union strikes on September 18, threatening economic disruption.
European Leadership
France’s political chaos has eroded its influence in the EU. While Macron has championed initiatives like European strategic autonomy and defense cooperation, partners like Germany now view Paris as unreliable due to constant government turnover. The debt crisis also undermines France’s credibility in fiscal negotiations, such as pushing for joint EU borrowing while failing to meet its own deficit targets. Nonetheless, Lecornu’s background in defense may allow Macron to retain leadership on Ukraine-related security issues, though domestic instability could limit his ability to make long-term commitments.
What the Future Looks Like
Le Pen condemned Lecornu’s appointment as "the last shot of Macronism," while leftists called it a "provocation". The Socialists ruled out joining any coalition, accusing Macron of ignoring parliamentary realities. Lecornu’s survival hinges on tacit support from the RN, which has hinted at conditional cooperation but demands policies like reduced immigration spending and EU contributions. Analysts warn that without a viable budget, France faces bond market pressure, credit rating downgrades, and potential economic turmoil. If Lecornu fails, Macron may be forced to call snap elections, a risky move given the RN’s lead in polls.