France’s President Emmanuel Macron names a new prime minister. Photo credits: Getty images

French President Emmanuel Macron has appointed Sébastien Lecornu, his 39-year-old defence minister and close ally, as the country’s new prime minister. The decision came less than 24 hours after François Bayrou’s government collapsed in a confidence vote over controversial budget cuts.

Lecornu, who has played a central role in France’s military response to Russia’s war in Ukraine, now faces the daunting task of steering a fragile minority government through one of the gravest economic and political challenges of Macron’s presidency. His immediate priority will be to secure parliamentary approval for France’s next budget as public debt surges to €3.3 trillion — 114% of GDP — and credit agency Fitch prepares to reassess the country’s rating this week.

Bayrou’s fall was widely expected. His €44 billion austerity plan split parliament and was decisively rejected by 364 votes to 194. By putting the plan to a confidence vote, Bayrou gambled and lost, leaving Macron scrambling to restore stability ahead of mass demonstrations.

The appointment of Lecornu—Macron’s seventh prime minister since 2017 and the fifth of his second term—has been met with mixed reactions. Centrist allies welcomed the choice as a chance to rebuild consensus, with MoDem’s Marc Fesneau urging all parties to compromise “for the stability of the country and its recovery.” But Jean-Luc Mélenchon of the radical left dismissed Lecornu as “more of the same”, while far-right leader Marine Le Pen accused Macron of retreating “into his bunker with a little circle of loyalists”.

Macron resisted calls to reach across the aisle to the Socialists, despite party leader Olivier Faure signalling willingness to cooperate. Édouard Philippe, Macron’s first prime minister, backed Lecornu but warned that success would hinge on persuading the Socialists to back a budget deal — without which France risks fresh elections and a deeper crisis.

The political drama comes as anger mounts on the streets. On Wednesday, the grassroots movement Bloquons Tout (“Let’s Block Everything”) is expected to lead nationwide protests against “austerity, contempt and humiliation”, with authorities deploying 80,000 police. Interior Minister Bruno Retailleau said as many as 100,000 demonstrators could take part, warning of “organised groups who seek violence.” Trade unions are also preparing strikes next week, accusing the government of dragging France into a “profound social and democratic crisis”.

Adding to tensions, Paris police reported that pig heads had been dumped outside nine mosques, prompting Mayor Anne Hidalgo to denounce the “racist acts”. Authorities suggested possible links to foreign interference, deepening fears of instability.

For Lecornu, the challenges are immediate and formidable: convincing a fractured parliament, averting a downgrade from Fitch, and preventing protests from spiralling into chaos. In his first statement as prime minister, he pledged to build a government with “clear direction” focused on defending French independence, ensuring stability, and serving the people.

Whether he can deliver on that promise may determine not only his survival but also the future of Macron’s presidency.