France: Sébastien Lecornu Announces New Government with 34 Ministers
The Élysée Palace announced on Sunday evening the formation of a new French government led by Sébastien Lecornu, who was recently reappointed by President Emmanuel Macron after resigning earlier this month.
The new government team comprises 34 ministers, with Laurent Nuñez, the Paris Police Prefect, taking on the role of Minister of the Interior, while Gérald Darmanin retains the Justice portfolio, and Rachida Dati continues as Minister of Culture, alongside Jean-Noël Barrot, who remains Minister of Foreign Affairs.
Roland Lescure, a close ally of President Macron, has also been reappointed as Minister of Finance at a time when the government faces increasing pressure to pass the 2026 budget amidst a divided parliament.
Following the announcement of the cabinet, Lecornu stated that the new government “has been formed to ensure the approval of the budget before the end of the year,” emphasizing a more open and independent approach from party affiliations.
This development comes after an unprecedented political crisis in France following a series of government resignations in the past two years, with Lecornu being the fifth prime minister since Macron’s reelection in 2022.
It is noteworthy that Lecornu’s previous government lasted only 14 hours, while Bruno Retailleau, leader of the Republicans party, declined to join the current cabinet, reflecting ongoing divisions within the French political landscape.
