Macron has appointed a new government led by Prime Minister Lecornu

French President Emmanuel Macron has appointed a new government led by Sébastien Lecornu.

Roland Lescure, a close ally of President Macron from left-wing circles, has been appointed as the new finance minister. Lescure, a member of the Renaissance parliamentary group, will be tasked with negotiating the 2026 budget in a divided National Assembly.

The previous finance minister, Bruno Le Maire, has moved to the Ministry of Defense. Key ministers Jean-Noël Barrot (Foreign Affairs), Bruno Retailleau (Interior) and Gérald Darmanin (Justice) remain in office to ensure continuity and stability in the government.

The government faces major challenges, particularly compromises between political factions on the budget, which aims to reduce France's high deficit. Prime Minister Lecornu is proposing the introduction of a wealth tax to appeal to the Socialists without jeopardizing entrepreneurs.

Bloomberg considers Roland Lescur to be an experienced expert in the fields of economics and energy. The new government wants to balance budgetary discipline with social and environmental reforms, which should contribute to stability ahead of the upcoming elections.

Lecornu's cabinet is scheduled to hold its first meeting on Monday, October 6, 2025.

(reuters, sie)