France’s Lecornu forms new cabinet amid political turmoil

French Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu unveiled his new government on the night of October 12, just two days after being reappointed, in a bid to stabilise France’s deepening political crisis.

The 39-year-old prime minister, who resigned only 14 hours after forming his first Cabinet last week amid public and political backlash, retained several key centrist figures, including Justice Minister Gérald Darmanin, Budget Minister Amélie de Montchalin, and Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot. Roland Lescure, a close ally of President Emmanuel Macron, remains as economy and finance minister, tasked with the challenging mission of cutting France’s soaring deficit and securing approval for the 2026 budget, Caliber.Az reports via foreign media.

Lecornu described the new line-up as a “mission-based government” focused on drafting a national budget before year’s end, emphasising that “only one thing matters: the interests of the country.”

Among new appointments, former health and labour minister Catherine Vautrin will head the armed forces, while conservatives Annie Genevard and Rachida Dati retain the agriculture and culture portfolios, respectively — prompting Les Républicains to expel them for joining the government. Paris police chief Laurent Nuñez takes over as interior minister, and ex-SNCF chief Jean-Pierre Farandou becomes labour minister.

The government’s stability remains uncertain. Both the far-right National Rally and the far-left France Unbowed have vowed to vote it down, while the Socialist Party has withheld judgment pending Lecornu’s upcoming policy speech, particularly on whether he will suspend President Macron’s contentious pension reform.

Lecornu is expected to present his budget and outline his priorities before the French parliament early next week.

By Vugar Khalilov