France’s new prime minister takes office amid anti-government protests

September 10, 2025 4:07 PM

France’s new prime minister takes office amid anti-government protests

Sebastien Lecornu, the loyalist picked by President Emmanuel Macron to be France's fifth prime minister in two years, took office on a day of sprawling anti-government protests on Wednesday that underlined the depth of the country's political crisis. Lecornu, a conservative Macron protege who most recently served as his defence minister, arrived at the prime minister's residence at midday where he met with former Prime Minister Francois Bayrou, who was ousted by parliament on Monday over plans ...

France’s Emmanuel Macron names loyalist Sebastien Lecornu as new prime minister

September 10, 2025 12:58 PM

France’s Emmanuel Macron names loyalist Sebastien Lecornu as new prime minister

French President Emmanuel Macron named loyalist Sebastien Lecornu, a one-time conservative protege who rallied behind his 2017 presidential run, as prime minister on Tuesday, defying expectations he might tack towards the left. The choice of Lecornu, 39, indicates Macron's determination to press on with a minority government that will not rip up his pro-business reform agenda, under which taxes on business and the wealthy have been cut and the retirement age raised. However, in an unusual move...