The decision follows the collapse of the Bayrou government, in which Lecornu served as Defense Minister. Le Pen: Macron fires his last bullets.

Emmanuel Macron has appointed Sébastien Lecornu as his new prime minister, replacing the resigning Francois Bayoru. Lecornu, 39, a former defense minister, according to a statement from the Elysée, is responsible for consulting the parties to reach the agreements essential for decisions in the coming months.

President Macron, the Elysée Palace wrote in a statement, has entrusted him with the task of building the agreements essential for the decisions of the coming months. Following these discussions, it will be up to the new Prime Minister to propose a government to the President of the Republic. The Prime Minister's actions will be guided by the defense of our independence and power, by service to the French people, and by political and institutional stability for the unity of the country. The President of the Republic is convinced that on this basis, an agreement between the political forces is possible, respecting each other's beliefs.

Lecornu had already been in the running to become prime minister before the resigning Bayrou was chosen at the end of 2024. A Macronist from the right, Lécornu had made headlines last summer when Libération had revealed his private dinners with Marine Le Pen.

The French right-wing leader was also the first to comment on the nomination on social media : Macron is firing his last shots of"Macronism," holed up in his close circle of loyalists. After the inevitable upcoming legislative elections, the Prime Minister will be named Jordan Bardella.