Who is the new premier Sébastien Lecornu, loyal ally of Macron

Sébastien Lecornu is the new Prime Minister of France, chosen by President Emmanuel Macron, of whom he is a loyal ally. He is 39 years old and became the youngest Defence Minister in French history in 2022. He is the architect of a major military build-up planned until 2030, motivated by Russia's war in Ukraine. A former conservative who joined Macron's centrist Renaissance movement in 2017, he held positions in local government, in the overseas territories and during the 'great debate' over the yellow waistcoats, where he managed popular anger through dialogue. He also proposed discussions on autonomy during the Guadeloupe riots in 2021. His rise reflects Macron's instinct to reward loyalty, but also the need for continuity, as repeated budget clashes toppled his predecessors and left France adrift.

Lecornu is little known to the general public but has always faithfully sided with Macron, surviving seven government reshuffles since 2017. Already mentioned several times as a candidate to lead the government, his nomination should already have come in December, when then the choice fell to Francois Bayrou who on Monday cashed in on the sfiduciary. It was therefore widely imagined that he was next in line. He is described as discreet, reserved and a close friend of the president.

Rassemblement National leader Marine Le Pen called his appointment one "of the last cartridges of 'Macronism'", describing the French president as "holed up in his inner circle of loyalists". "Only the resignation of Macron himself can put an end to this sad comedy of contempt for Parliament, voters and political decency," commented 'France Insoumise' leader Jean-Luc Mélenchon. Macron 'instructed' Lecornu to 'consult' the 'political forces represented in Parliament', the Elysée said. This, 'in order to adopt the national budget and build the essential agreements for decisions in the coming months'. Only after these discussions will Lecornu propose a government to the president.