France’s political landscape has been thrown into fresh turmoil as Prime Minister Sebastien Lecornu, newly reappointed by President Emmanuel Macron, unveiled a new Cabinet on October 12, 2025. The shake-up comes at a critical juncture, with the government under immense pressure to produce a budget, restore confidence among businesses and investors, and navigate a deeply fractured parliament that threatens to derail Macron’s second term.
Lecornu, a 39-year-old centrist and close Macron ally, is now at the helm of what is his second government in just one month. The previous attempt at forming a Cabinet lasted a mere 14 hours before he resigned amid fierce backlash over its composition, only to be renamed prime minister two days later. According to Reuters, Lecornu quipped that there weren’t "a lot of candidates" for his job and openly acknowledged that his tenure might be short-lived given the country’s deep political divides.
The new Cabinet, formalized with 34 ministers on Sunday night, blends familiar faces from Macron’s centrist camp and allied conservatives with a handful of outsiders to politics. Among the most notable appointments are Catherine Vautrin, a veteran of the center-right, who takes over as defense minister; Laurent Nunez, the Paris police chief who oversaw security during the 2024 Olympics, stepping into the role of interior minister; and Roland Lescure, a steadfast Macron ally, who remains as finance minister. The retention of Jean-Noel Barrot as foreign minister and Gerald Darmanin as justice minister signals continuity in key portfolios, even as the government pledges "renewal and diversity."
Yet, the stability of this new team is anything but assured. Macron, whose presidential term runs until 2027, no longer commands a parliamentary majority, leaving his government vulnerable to opposition attacks from all sides. The far-right National Rally, led by Marine Le Pen, is clamoring for new elections, while the far-left France Unbowed party has demanded Macron’s resignation and is preparing a motion of no confidence. The Socialists, whose support could prove decisive, have so far remained noncommittal, with their leader Olivier Faure offering a terse "No comment" after the Cabinet announcement.
According to France 24, the conservative Republicans party wasted no time in expelling six of its members who agreed to join Lecornu’s government, underscoring the fractious nature of French politics at this moment. The National Assembly itself is split into three ideological blocs—far right, centrist, and left-wing—making the passage of any significant legislation, especially the budget, a Herculean task. Lecornu and his ministers must now seek compromises to stave off an immediate vote of no confidence, which could topple the government before it even settles in.
Time is of the essence. Lecornu’s government must present a budget by October 15 to comply with constitutional deadlines, with the first Cabinet meeting scheduled for October 14. The stakes are high: France is grappling with ballooning public debt, rising poverty, and a crisis of investor confidence. The finance minister, Roland Lescure, is tasked with crafting a plan that satisfies both deficit hawks and those worried about social protections. Failure to secure parliamentary support for the budget could force France to adopt emergency stop-gap measures to keep the government running into the new year.
Underlying the immediate budgetary concerns are deeper policy disputes that threaten to tear the centrist alliance apart. Chief among them is the controversial pension reform, passed in 2023 without a parliamentary vote, which raised the retirement age from 62 to 64. The measure sparked mass protests and remains deeply unpopular, with left-wing parties making its repeal a precondition for any support. Lecornu, signaling a possible shift, stated, "All debates are possible as long as they are realistic," hinting at potential flexibility on the issue.
The opposition is also pushing for the introduction of a wealth tax, a proposal fiercely resisted by the right. The government’s ability to bridge these divides will determine not just the fate of the budget, but also the broader trajectory of Macron’s presidency as the country inches closer to the 2027 elections. As AP notes, many in the National Assembly are already eyeing the contest to succeed Macron, further complicating efforts to build consensus.
Internationally, France’s credibility is at stake. The political paralysis and uncertainty have rattled European partners and global financial markets. Businesses are wary, and the country’s image as a stable democracy has taken a hit. In a symbolic gesture of France’s continued engagement on the world stage, Foreign Minister Barrot will accompany Macron to Egypt on October 13 for an international ceremony marking the Gaza ceasefire.
Amid all this, the tone from the top has been one of urgency and service. Lecornu wrote on X, "A mission-driven government has been appointed to provide France with a budget before the end of the year," thanking those who joined "regardless of personal or partisan interests." Justice Minister Darmanin echoed this sentiment, posting, "A single imperative guides my decisions: to serve my country and the French people. Without renouncing any of my convictions, I am therefore taking leave from all partisan activity." The Prime Minister’s office has emphasized that transfers of power will be "sober, without press and without guests," reflecting the gravity of the situation.
The coming days will be pivotal. Should Lecornu fail to secure enough support in the National Assembly, France could see yet another government collapse, plunging the country into deeper crisis. Lecornu himself has not ruled out resigning again if the political conditions deteriorate further, telling La Tribune Dimanche, "If the conditions were no longer met again, I'd leave. I'm not going to just go along with whatever."
For now, France watches and waits as its leaders attempt to steer the nation through one of its most turbulent political moments in recent memory. The newly minted Cabinet faces a daunting to-do list, and the world is watching to see whether Lecornu and Macron can pull the country back from the brink—or if this latest government will be just another fleeting chapter in a period of unprecedented instability.