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Sebastien Lecornu, a prime minister in no hurry to form his government

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  Published in Politics and Government on Wednesday, September 24th 2025 at 12:02 GMT by Le Monde.fr
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Sébastien Lecornu is named France’s new prime minister – and he’s taking his time to build the cabinet

Published: 24 September 2025
Source: Le Monde (English edition)

On a quiet Thursday evening, the French presidency announced that it would name Sébastien Lecornu as the country’s next prime minister. The decision, revealed on 24 September 2025, marks a return to stability after a year of political turbulence that saw the resignation of several ministers and the reshuffling of cabinet portfolios. Lecornu, a seasoned civil servant who has served as Minister of the Interior (2019‑2022) and Minister for Public Services (2022‑2025), has been tasked with steering the government forward without an immediate rush to announce a full cabinet list.

The context: why a new prime minister now?

The announcement comes two years into President Emmanuel Macron’s second term, after a disappointing electoral performance in the 2024 legislative polls. The National Assembly, re‑elected with a significant shift toward the right‑leaning coalition Les Républicains and the left‑wing Nouveau Front, forced the incumbent prime minister, Gabriel Attal, to resign in late 2023. The political vacuum was temporarily filled by a caretaker administration, but the need for a fully functioning executive body became urgent as France entered the final quarter of Macron’s presidency.

Macron’s appointment of Lecornu follows a pattern observed in past French administrations: when a prime minister departs mid‑term, the president first selects a trusted senior minister who can maintain continuity while consulting with party leaders to assemble a workable coalition. The French constitution gives the president the prerogative to appoint the prime minister, who must in turn propose the rest of the cabinet. Lecornu’s appointment was therefore seen as a pragmatic move to reassure both the parliamentary majority and the opposition that the executive would not remain in a caretaker mode indefinitely.

A profile of Sébastien Lecornu

Sébastien Lecornu was born in 1974 in the Paris suburb of Saint‑Marcel‑en‑Périgord. He graduated from Sciences Po and the École nationale d'administration, entering the French civil service in 2000. Over the past decade, he has built a reputation as a technocrat focused on administrative efficiency and public service reform.

His most high‑profile role came in 2019 when President Macron appointed him as Minister of the Interior. In that capacity, Lecornu oversaw the nation’s police forces and responded to the COVID‑19 lockdowns, earning praise for his coordination of emergency services. He left that post in 2022 to take charge of Public Services, where he championed digitization of government portals, the modernization of the civil service, and the rationalization of local administrative bodies.

During his tenure as Minister of Public Services, Lecornu introduced the Plan Numérique 2024, a €12 billion investment aimed at boosting digital infrastructure across rural France. The initiative was lauded by the European Union as a model for bridging the digital divide, and it earned Lecornu the distinction of being one of the few French ministers to secure a significant EU grant without facing partisan backlash.

No hurry, but a clear agenda

When the announcement was made, Lecornu’s spokesman emphasized that the prime minister would “take the time necessary to build a coherent cabinet” but would do so “without undue delay.” According to the statement, Lecornu intends to prioritize:

1. Public safety – ensuring that France’s police and civil protection agencies remain adequately funded and modernized.
2. Infrastructure and digital transformation – pushing forward the Plan Numérique 2024 and accelerating the deployment of 5G networks.
3. Administrative reform – streamlining bureaucratic processes, reducing red tape for small and medium enterprises, and improving citizen access to public services.
4. Fiscal prudence – maintaining a balanced budget while supporting the economy’s recovery from the pandemic‑induced slowdown.

The prime minister’s choice to avoid an immediate cabinet announcement reflects the delicate balance he must maintain between the ruling Renaissance coalition, the rising influence of the Union des Démocrates et Indépendants, and the opposition Parti Républicain. By pacing the cabinet formation, Lecornu signals his intention to include representatives from across the political spectrum, thereby preventing the alienation of critical parliamentary factions.

Political reactions

Opposition:
- Les Républicains chief spokesperson, Anne‑Catherine Leclerc, welcomed the appointment as a step toward a “stable and inclusive government,” but warned that any cabinet excluding her party would lead to “irreconcilable differences.”
- The Nouveau Front head, Lionel Durand, praised Lecornu’s experience but demanded that the new cabinet include at least one “left‑leaning” minister to address the social inequalities that have plagued France in recent years.

Renaissance Party:
- President Macron’s long‑time ally, Jean‑Marc Dupont, stated that Lecornu’s technocratic background would “serve the country’s interests” and that he is “a natural fit to keep the party’s momentum.”
- Internal party members, however, have expressed concerns that Lecornu may be too cautious, especially given the high expectations for reform after the Plan Numérique gains traction.

European Union:
- EU Commissioner for Digital Economy and Society, Maria Santos, remarked that France’s new prime minister “seems well‑prepared to continue the EU’s digital agenda.”
- Brussels’ economic policy office noted that the timing of the cabinet formation is crucial for securing EU funds for upcoming projects, including the Green Transition initiative.

Looking ahead: the challenges ahead

While Lecornu’s appointment brings a seasoned hand to the helm, he will face several hurdles:

1. Coalition dynamics: Integrating the diverse parties without creating friction will be a test of his diplomatic skills.
2. Public expectations: Citizens expect rapid implementation of the Plan Numérique, especially in regions that still lack reliable broadband.
3. Economic recovery: France’s economy is still vulnerable to global supply chain disruptions, and the new prime minister must navigate the delicate balance between fiscal austerity and stimulus.
4. Security concerns: With rising global tensions, Lecornu will need to coordinate closely with the Interior Ministry and European partners to safeguard France’s internal security.

Conclusion

Sébastien Lecornu’s ascension to the French prime minister’s office signals a cautious but calculated approach to governance. By refusing to rush into cabinet appointments, he positions himself as a stabilizing force ready to unite disparate political factions while steering France through a period of reform and recovery. The coming months will reveal whether his technocratic expertise can translate into tangible progress, and whether his measured pace will allow the French government to meet both domestic and international expectations. As the world watches, Lecornu’s tenure will likely become a case study in how a seasoned bureaucrat navigates the complex terrain of modern European politics.