Sebastien Lecornu named French PM as protests sweep country
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Mass protests erupt across France as Sebastien Lecornu inherits a divided nation, political instability, and fierce backlash over austerity plans.
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French Defense Minister Sebastien Lecornu speaks with the media as he arrives for a meeting of NATO defense ministers at NATO headquarters in Brussels, February 13, 2025. (AP)
France’s newly appointed Prime Minister, Sebastien Lecornu, assumes office on Wednesday under the shadow of nationwide protests expected to disrupt schools, transport, and public services.
The demonstrations, organized by the loosely connected left-wing collective “Block Everything,” reflect growing public discontent with President Emmanuel Macron’s leadership.
Lecornu, 39, a trusted Macron ally who has served as defense minister for the past three years, was named prime minister late Tuesday. His appointment follows the resignation of Francois Bayrou, who was forced to step down after losing a confidence vote in parliament.
Bayrou’s resignation stemmed from his push for austerity measures aimed at reducing France’s mounting debt, a package that faced intense opposition. It remains unclear how Lecornu plans to navigate the same challenge and secure parliamentary approval for the national budget.
Transition of power
The official handover between Bayrou and Lecornu is scheduled for Wednesday at midday (10:00 GMT). The presidency stated, “The president is convinced that (under Lecornu) an agreement between the political forces is possible, while respecting the convictions of everyone.”
Macron, who is reportedly playing a critical international role in efforts to end the war in Ukraine, was under pressure to appoint a premier capable of stabilizing domestic politics. Lecornu, seen as a discreet but effective strategist, has the advantage, at least in Macron’s eyes, of not aspiring to the presidency himself.
A record of political instability
Although Lecornu had been considered for the role as early as December, Bayrou reportedly persuaded Macron to choose him instead. Lecornu now becomes France’s seventh prime minister since 2017, the fifth since Macron’s second term began in 2022, and the third within a single year.
He faces the challenge of forging parliamentary alliances and avoiding Bayrou’s fate, with the ultimate goal of remaining in office until Macron’s mandate concludes in 2027. On X, Lecornu pledged that his government would work for “political and institutional stability for the unity of the country.”
The scale of Wednesday’s demonstrations remains uncertain. Major trade unions are not directly involved, choosing instead to focus on a broader nationwide strike scheduled for September 18. Nonetheless, the “Block Everything” initiative has alarmed the government enough to mobilize 80,000 police officers across the country.
Interior Minister Bruno Retailleau warned of “zero tolerance” for violence or attempts to block key sites, noting that authorities are monitoring vital infrastructure, including oil refineries. He emphasized that France needs a functioning government “to embody the authority” of the state, and accused Jean-Luc Mélenchon’s France Unbowed (LFI) of fueling “a climate of insurrection.”
Expected impact on transport and services
While France’s high-speed trains and most Paris metro lines are expected to operate normally, regional rail, suburban services, and airports are bracing for disruptions. Travel delays are anticipated at Charles-de-Gaulle and Orly airports, among others.
The decentralized nature of the protests, spreading to rural areas and small towns, evokes memories of the 2018 Yellow Vest movement, which tested Macron’s first term. Unlike that uprising, analysts say this wave of unrest is firmly rooted in the left and has drawn younger, intellectual participants.
Paris police chief Laurent Nunez said he believes the “radical left” is orchestrating the protests, aiming for “spectacular actions” but lacking broader civil society support.
Protesters’ demands range from scrapping Bayrou’s controversial proposal to eliminate two public holidays to lowering medical costs for workers and expanding sick leave benefits.
Bayrou had argued that France needed €44 billion ($52 billion) in spending cuts to rein in public debt and restore financial stability, a stance that ultimately cost him his position.
