French New Prime Minister Inaugurated Amid Anti-government Protests

JAKARTA - Sebastien Lecornu, a loyalist elected by President Emmanuel Macron to become France's fifth prime minister in two years, was sworn in amid widespread anti-government protests.

Lecornu, Macron's conservative and last defense minister, arrived at the prime minister's residence during the day where he met former Prime Minister Francois Bayrou, who was ousted by parliament on Monday for plans to cut the country's enormous deficit.

Lecornu will use his first speech to explain how he will reach a consensus with an out of control parliament, split into three different ideological blocks, and pass a slimmer budget for next year.

Reported by Reuters on Wednesday, September 10, Lecornu will have to send a complete draft of the 2026 budget to parliament no later than October 7, although there is still room for movement until October 13, after which the MPs will run out of time to pass the budget by the end of the year.

Reactions to Lecornu's appointment on Tuesday underscore the challenges it faces. Political parties generally agreed on the need to cut the French deficit, which hit 5.8% of GDP by 2024, but did not agree on how to do so.

While the extreme left side said it would try to overthrow Lecornu with a motion of not believing it immediately.

The extreme right-handed camp National Rally (RN) signaled a temporary willingness to cooperate with it in budget preparation - provided their budget demands are met.

"The budget for RN or its government will not," wrote RN MP Laure Lavalette, on X on Tuesday night.

RN is the largest parliamentary party in France and is therefore a crucial factor in the potential for no confidence in motion. However, Lecornu is seen as a member of Macron's closest circle to RN, after having dinner with RN president Jordan Bardella last year.