Europe Asia News

The new cabinet includes both bureaucrats and politicians, among them figures who took part in Lecornu’s first attempt to form a government last week. Public anger over the composition of that government forced the 39-year-old prime minister to resign just 14 hours later, plunging France into a political crisis.

Among those retaining their posts are centrist Justice Minister Gérald Darmanin, Budget Minister Amélie de Montchalin, and Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot, all serving since the start of the year. Roland Lescure, an ally of President Emmanuel Macron who was appointed economy and finance minister in Lecornu’s failed government, will also remain in office.

Lescure faces the difficult task of not only passing next year’s budget but also reducing France’s massive public spending deficit, which has alarmed financial markets and international institutions. Lecornu is expected to present his budget plans on Monday and outline his policy priorities in a speech to the French parliament in the coming days.

Paris Police Chief Laurent Nunez will take over the interior ministry portfolio from conservative leader Bruno Retailleau, who was not part of the previous government. Former head of France’s state railway company SNCF, Jean-Pierre Farandou, will become labor minister.

The far-right National Rally and far-left France Unbowed have made it clear they will reject the government. Together they control more than one-third of the seats in the National Assembly, the lower house of parliament.

The Socialist Party, whose tacit support is crucial for Lecornu’s government to survive, said it will decide whether to topple or support the government based on Lecornu’s concrete proposals, particularly regarding the possible suspension of the controversial pension reform approved by Macron.