France now has a government: Lecornu appoints a low-profile executive

ParisFrench Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu appointed his new government on Sunday night, just a week after announcing his first government, made up of almost the same ministers as the previous government, which was overthrown by the National Assembly. It was a monumental mistake that unleashed a chaotic week. That government was widely criticized by all opposition parties, who threatened to censure him and forced Lecornu to resign. A week later, the prime minister, reappointed by President Macron on Friday, presented an executive with new faces and a low political profile.

It's not exactly a technical government—many are active politicians, and some ministers are repeating their positions—but most have a low political profile and, in general, have extensive experience in their fields. The new government includes some former ministers, but also little-known civil society figures and parliamentarians. However, there are no party leaders or former prime ministers, a development that reflects Lecornu's need to surround himself with people without presidential aspirations and distance himself from party heavyweights. The head of government is seeking to minimize criticism and provocations to avoid censure and be able to focus on negotiating and approving the budget, his top priority.

In a message to X, Lecornu expressed his gratitude for the new ministers, "who are involved in this government with complete freedom, beyond personal and partisan interests." The head of the executive also stressed that the government's goal is to approve the 2026 budget.

Among the new members of the government, Laurent Nuñez stands out, the new Minister of the Interior and until now the Paris police prefect. He was previously the second-in-command at the Interior Ministry. Among the few who are returning are the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Jean-Noël Barrot; the Minister of Culture, Rachida Dati, awaiting trial for corruption; the Minister of Defense, Catherine Vautrin, until now the Minister of Labor; and the Minister of the Interior, Gérald Darmanin, a figure very close to Macron and Lecornu. Dati and Darmanin—with a more prominent political profile than the rest—are the exceptions. Among those leaving are Manuel Valls, who will lose his current ministry, Overseas Affairs, and the former Prime Minister and until now the Minister of Education, Élisabeth Borne, who will become a member of parliament.

Although the Republicans (right) have decided to end their government alliance with Macron and announced this Saturday that they would not be part of the new government, the list of ministers includes party members, such as Agriculture Minister Annie Genevard and Transport Minister Philippe Tabarot. Rachida Dati is also a Republican. The party's leadership has already made it clear that they are participating in a personal capacity and has announced that they are expelling them from the party.

Transfer of portfolios without press

Following the philosophy of a low-profile government, Lecornu has requested that the transfer of ministerial portfolios between ministers, which will take place this Monday, be discreet, without the press or guests; an unprecedented format. The transfer is usually done publicly, in front of cameras and with speeches.

The first cabinet meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, at which the draft budget is expected to be approved, and on that same Tuesday, Lecornu will appear before the National Assembly to deliver his general policy speech outlining his priorities. The President of the Republic had asked the Prime Minister to finalize his cabinet meeting this Sunday, before Macron left for Egypt to attend the signing of the peace agreement between Israel and Hamas. The President will return on Tuesday to participate in the first cabinet meeting.

This week will be crucial to determine whether the opposition parties are willing to negotiate the budget and give the new cabinet a chance, or whether they will overthrow it. Marine Le Pen's far-right and the radical left announced on Friday that they would censure Lecornu, while other parties, such as the Socialists, have also threatened to vote in favor of censure, but have opened the door to negotiations.