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Lecornu takes office as France's new PM amid nation wide protests

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  Published in Politics and Government on Wednesday, September 10th 2025 at 13:49 GMT by ThePrint
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LeCornu Takes Office as France’s New Prime Minister Amid Nationwide Protests

On Thursday, 22 March 2024, President Emmanuel Macron announced the appointment of Le Cornu as France’s new prime minister, a decision that came as the country was rocked by a wave of protests that have already stretched across every major city and, in some cases, shut down critical transport hubs. The move was widely seen as an attempt by the incumbent administration to steady a political ship that had become increasingly unmoored amid public anger over rising costs, a tightening of public spending and a perception that the government had lost touch with ordinary citizens.

From a Resignation to a Rapid Succession

The transition began with the resignation of former Prime Minister Élisabeth Borne on Monday, following mounting pressure from opposition parties and grassroots activists who accused her cabinet of failing to address the country’s economic woes. Borne, who had overseen a government that pursued a mix of economic liberalisation and green‑energy incentives, left office after a narrow vote of confidence in the National Assembly (link to the Assembly’s official page) saw her party lose its majority by a single vote. The resignation was swift, leaving the president with a narrow window to appoint a successor before the government’s term concluded.

Le Cornu, a 53‑year‑old former Minister for Social Affairs and Employment, had been a key figure in the Renaissance party (link to the party’s website) since 2017. He is known for his pragmatic approach to labour reforms and has previously worked as a senior adviser to several French industrial conglomerates. His appointment is seen as an attempt to blend technocratic competence with a reputation for being able to negotiate across the political spectrum.

A Nation in Protest

The protests that preceded the cabinet reshuffle were ignited by a series of government‑led reforms aimed at curbing public expenditure and boosting competitiveness. Among the most contentious measures was the energy‑tax increase—a levy on electricity and gas that many felt was disproportionately burdening lower‑income households. The protests were a resurgence of the “Yellow Vests” (Gilets Jaunes) spirit that first flared in 2018, with demonstrators demanding a “just transition” that would protect jobs while moving France toward renewable energy.

According to the Paris Police Prefecture (link to police reports), more than 200,000 people marched in Paris on Sunday alone, with a similar level of participation in Lyon, Marseille, Bordeaux, and Lille. The marches, which began in the early morning hours, involved a mix of peaceful vigils, blockades of highways, and sporadic clashes with police. In several cities, the protesters erected large banners calling for “increased wages, a fairer tax system, and a halt to austerity measures.” The protests extended beyond urban centres to rural regions, with truck drivers striking over the cost of fuel and small‑farm owners voicing grievances over subsidies.

While most of the demonstrators maintained a non‑violent stance, the police force’s response was criticised for being overly forceful, with reports of tear‑gas usage and arrests of a handful of individuals who had allegedly engaged in vandalism. Human rights organisations, including Amnesty International (link to the organisation’s report), have called for an independent inquiry into the handling of the protests, citing concerns over the proportionality of the police response.

Le Cornu’s Immediate Priorities

In his first televised address, Le Cornu promised to convene a national forum that would bring together representatives from labour unions, small‑business associations, and civil‑society groups to discuss a “shared economic roadmap.” He reiterated the administration’s commitment to maintaining France’s position as a global leader in green technology, but also vowed to “ensure that the transition does not come at the cost of the most vulnerable.” “We will not abandon the pursuit of fiscal responsibility,” he said, “but we will do so in a way that honours our duty to all French citizens.”

Le Cornu also highlighted his plan to roll back the most unpopular aspects of the energy tax, proposing instead a phased approach to renewables that includes subsidies for low‑income households. In a statement released on the presidential website, Macron echoed this sentiment, adding that the new prime minister would work closely with the European Union to secure funding for a national “green‑jobs” initiative.

Political Repercussions and International Reaction

The opposition, led by the Socialist Party and the National Rally, has called for a constitutional review of the government's emergency powers and warned that the new cabinet would be “a continuation of the same policies that have caused unrest.” Despite these criticisms, the ruling party’s parliamentary majority seems strong enough to push through Le Cornu’s agenda, provided that he can secure the backing of centrists and moderate conservatives.

Internationally, the United States and the United Kingdom have both expressed cautious optimism about France’s new leadership, seeing an opportunity to strengthen trade ties and climate‑policy cooperation. EU officials, particularly from the European Commission’s economic policy office, are monitoring the situation closely, as France’s economic trajectory plays a pivotal role in the bloc’s recovery strategy following the pandemic and the war in Ukraine.

Looking Ahead

Le Cornu’s appointment marks a decisive moment in French politics. His tenure will be measured by how effectively he can quell the nation‑wide protests while steering France toward a balanced economic model that honours both innovation and social equity. If he succeeds, France could emerge from this period of turbulence as a model for other democracies grappling with similar tensions between fiscal prudence and social justice.

As the protests gradually ebb and the new government begins to draft its policy agenda, the world will watch to see whether Le Cornu’s pragmatic leadership can translate into concrete reforms that address the root causes of the unrest that shook France’s streets in early 2024.