French President Emmanuel Macron appoints Lecornu as the new Prime Minister of France.
French President Emmanuel Macron appointed Defense Minister Sebastien Lecornu as the new prime minister on Tuesday, marking the fifth change in leadership for Macron in less than two years. The appointment signals Macron's intent to maintain a minority government.
Lecornu, a former member of the center-right Republicans, joined Macron's centrist movement in 2017. He led Macron's re-election campaign in 2022. His recent political move has not been without controversy, as he was seen having dinner with Marine Le Pen, the leader of the far-right National Rally (RN).
The RN believes it was robbed of victory in last July's legislative elections. The far-right candidate Jordan Bardella is noted prominently, but the current lead candidate of the Socialist Party of France for the upcoming parliamentary elections is not explicitly identified in the available search results.
The departure of the previous prime minister, François Bayrou, was due to his plans for taming the country's ballooning debt being ousted by parliament. Bayrou proposed spending cuts totaling €44 billion ($51 billion) in 2026 and the scrapping of two public holidays. Despite his efforts, opposition lawmakers from the far-left and far-right combined to vote Bayrou down 364 to 194 after just nine months in office.
Marine Le Pen stated that they would judge Lecornu on his merits while warning the party still holds strict "red lines." The National Front Party (NFP), a coalition of left-wing parties demanding a socialist prime minister, has expressed concerns about Lecornu's appointment.
In response to the political turmoil, protesters are planning a series of strikes and disruptions across France under the slogan: "Bloquons tout" - let's block everything. Protesters in Paris plan to block key entrances to the city center around the périphérique, the ring-road which encircles the capital.
Despite the political and social unrest, French railway operator SNCF stated that high-speed TGV trains would operate normally both domestically and internationally. However, France's civil aviation agency (DGAC) expects disturbances and delays at all French airports.
In light of these developments, Macron has directed Lecornu to consult with political forces represented in parliament to adopt a budget for the nation and make essential agreements for the decisions of the coming months. Socialist lawmaker Boris Vallaud stated that it is now up to the left to govern, and those who want to assume their responsibilities should take the initiative.
As France navigates through these challenging times, the new prime minister, Sebastien Lecornu, faces a daunting task to stabilize the government and address the country's pressing issues.
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