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France's Political Turmoil Continues with Fifth Premier in Two Years
French President Emmanuel Macron has appointed 39-year-old Sébastien Lecornu as the country's new prime minister, marking the fifth government leader in less than two years. The appointment comes just one day after former premier François Bayrou was ousted by parliament in a confidence vote.
Youngest Defense Minister Takes Helm
Sébastien Lecornu, previously serving as France's Minister of Defense, becomes the youngest prime minister in modern French history. His appointment follows a dramatic political crisis that saw Bayrou's government collapse over controversial budget cuts aimed at reducing France's massive budget deficit.
France currently faces the European Union's highest budget deficit at 5% of GDP, significantly exceeding the EU's 3% limit. Bayrou had proposed billions in austerity measures to address this crisis, but parliament rejected his approach.
From Conservative Roots to Macron's Inner Circle
Lecornu's political journey is particularly noteworthy. He began his career in conservative parties UMP and LR before switching to Macron's Renaissance party in 2017. In 2022, he led Macron's successful re-election campaign, demonstrating his strategic political skills.
'The choice of Sébastien Lecornu is surprising at first glance,' noted France correspondent Frank Renout. 'He built his career within conservative parties before joining Macron's camp in 2017. This means the president is again choosing a 'right-wing' prime minister.'
Governing Without Majority
The fundamental challenge facing Lecornu remains France's fractured parliament, where no single party holds a majority. This political reality has doomed previous premiers, including conservative Michel Barnier who lasted only three months before being ousted by parliament.
Opposition parties from both left and radical right have already expressed skepticism about Lecornu's appointment. The new premier must navigate this complex political landscape while addressing France's economic challenges and maintaining EU relations.
Lecornu's background as defense minister and his experience in local government administration may provide him with unique tools to build consensus across France's divided political spectrum.
