French President Emmanuel Macron has appointed Sébastien Lecornu as France’s new prime minister, opting for a trusted ally to steer his government through mounting political challenges. The move signals Macron’s continued commitment to his centrist, pro-business agenda, despite rising public discontent and a fractured parliament.

At 39, Lecornu becomes Macron’s fifth prime minister in under two years, following the ousting of François Bayrou in a confidence vote earlier this week. Formerly aligned with the conservatives, Lecornu was one of the early right-wing figures to back Macron in 2017 and has since evolved into a key loyalist within the president’s inner circle.

His appointment underscores Macron’s refusal to pivot left despite speculation that he might seek broader consensus amid growing economic anxiety, public protests, and political gridlock.

The Élysée Palace said Lecornu has been tasked with forming a cabinet and opening dialogue with all political factions in parliament, particularly over France’s embattled budget and looming debt crisis.

“The President of the Republic has entrusted me with the task of building a government with a clear direction: the defense of our independence and our power, the service of the French people, and political and institutional stability,” Lecornu wrote on X after his appointment.

Macron’s office emphasized that the new prime minister must prioritize compromise while continuing with reforms such as tax cuts, retirement age increases, and streamlining public spending.

The appointment has already provoked outrage on the left, with critics accusing Macron of deepening political divides rather than bridging them. The France Unbowed (LFI) party vowed to file a motion of no confidence and called for nationwide “Block Everything” protests on Wednesday, highlighting discontent over inequality and austerity.

However, the motion is unlikely to succeed, as far-right National Rally (RN) leader Jordan Bardella signaled a wait-and-see approach:

“We will judge — without illusion — the new Prime Minister on his merits, on his actions… and this in light of our red lines,” Bardella said.

With parliamentary factions sharply polarized and Macron’s approval ratings under pressure, Lecornu now faces the formidable task of navigating fiscal reform, social unrest, and geopolitical uncertainty—all while trying to keep a minority government afloat.