A total of 34 ministers and vice-ministers appointed
First cabinet meeting of the second Lecornu government to be held on the 14th
French Prime Minister Sebastien Lecornu finalized the formation of his second-term cabinet on the 12th (local time). This move aims to secure parliamentary approval for the 2026 budget bill and to calm the worsening political crisis.
According to Reuters and other sources, French President Emmanuel Macron approved the cabinet list submitted by Prime Minister Lecornu on this day. The second Lecornu cabinet consists of a total of 34 ministers and vice-ministers, drawn from Macron’s ruling coalition, the right-wing Republican Party, and figures from civil society.
The Financial Times (FT) analyzed, “The Macron administration has lost three prime ministers since last year’s snap general election,” adding, “The cabinet reshuffle comes amid repeated failures to pass the budget bill.”
Previously, the ?lys?e Palace announced on the 5th the officials who would assist Prime Minister Lecornu in running the government. However, the following day, Lecornu abruptly resigned, citing the impossibility of cooperating with the opposition, which led to the collapse of the government. Subsequently, President Macron, after much deliberation, reappointed Lecornu as prime minister on the 10th, leading to the reformation of the cabinet.
Key ministerial appointments include Laurent Nunez as Minister of the Interior, Jean-Pierre Farandou as Minister of Labor, Monique Barbut as Minister of the Environment, Edouard Geffray as Minister of National Education, and Catherine Vautrin as Minister of Defense. Roland Lescure will remain as Minister of Finance, and Jean-Noel Barrot will continue as Minister of Foreign Affairs. After being reappointed as prime minister on the 10th, Lecornu stated that “those participating in the government must pledge to abandon their ambitions for the 2027 presidential election,” making it clear that potential presidential contenders would be excluded from the cabinet.
After announcing the cabinet, Prime Minister Lecornu wrote on X (formerly Twitter), “A mission-oriented government has been appointed to secure the budget before the end of the year,” and added, “I thank everyone who joined this government, putting aside personal interests and partisan gains.” He continued, “Only one thing matters: ministers must work for the ‘national interest.’”
The opposition reacted immediately. Mathilde Panot, floor leader of the far-left France Unbowed (LFI), warned, “A vote of no confidence in the government is imminent. Macron’s resignation will follow.” Marine Le Pen of the far-right National Rally (RN) also declared, “I will submit a motion of no confidence against the government tomorrow.”
President Macron is scheduled to hold the first cabinet meeting with the newly appointed ministers on the 14th.
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