In the latest twist of France’s political saga, President Emmanuel Macron unveiled a new cabinet on Sunday after marathon negotiations.
The reshuffle is Prime Minister Sebastien Lecornu’s second attempt at forming a majority in a hung parliament that’s been deadlocked since last year’s snap elections. Facing pressure to pass a 2026 draft austerity budget before the constitutionally mandated 70-day review period ends, the team combines familiar faces and fresh names.
Old Allies, Fresh Faces
Jean-Noel Barrot retained the foreign affairs portfolio, while Catherine Vautrin moved from labour to defence. Economy minister Roland Lescure, a close Macron ally, now shoulders the high-stakes task of steering next year’s budget—an issue that cost two predecessors their jobs. Meanwhile, Monique Barbut, formerly with the World Wide Fund for Nature, steps in to lead environmental transition.
The Road Ahead
With opposition from the leftist Socialists—who demand a reversal of last year’s pension reform raising the retirement age from 62 to 64—and a “bill-by-bill” stance from the right-wing Republicans, Lecornu’s cabinet is in a precarious position. The far-right National Rally has vowed to vote them out on day one, setting up a high-stakes showdown in parliament.
As Macron prepares for an overseas trip to Egypt to support a US-brokered Gaza ceasefire, the clock ticks down to Tuesday’s budget submission deadline. For global citizens tracking the balance of power in Europe’s leading economy, France’s political pivot offers a front-row seat to the art of coalition-building under crisis.
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
