French President Emmanuel Macron has reappointed Sebastien Le Cornuaille as prime minister, just four days after Le Cornuaille resigned. The move has angered the opposition, which has vowed to topple the new cabinet at the first opportunity.
On Sunday, Le Cornouaille unveiled a new government that includes “civil society” representatives, “young parliamentarians,” and ministers from the Bayrou and Barnier governments. The League for Freedom and the National Rally parties have vowed to condemn the government.
The centrist Les Républicains, a key political ally, has said it will not participate in forming a new government and will only cooperate on a “bill-by-bill” basis, further complicating Le Cornouaille’s chances.
For his part, the prime minister has promised to work with all the main political forces and to select cabinet members who “will not be constrained by party interests.”
On Sunday evening, Sebastien Lecornu presented a “mission-focused government” that brings together “civil society,” “experienced professionals,” and “young parliamentarians.” The prime minister aims to present the 2026 budget on time and face a no-confidence vote promised by the opposition.
The new government must present the 2026 budget by Tuesday. The constitution gives parliament 70 days to discuss the plan before the end of the year.
The new government consists of 34 ministers, 19 of whom are permanent. The government has brought in new faces, some of whom represent civil society, as was the case in Edouard Philippe’s government during Emmanuel Macron’s first five-year term.
