Macron appointed a new prime minister

The former Minister of Defense, Sébastien Lecornu, is in question.

Macron's office was considering an option with Lecornu following the collapse of Prime Minister Francois Bayrou's government over plans to cut next year's budget by 43.8 billion euros, two officials with direct knowledge of the situation said.

Lekornu Gao Jing / Xinhua News / Profimedia

Lecornu (39) is the youngest defense minister in French history and the architect of a major military build-up until 2030, fueled by Russia's war in Ukraine.

The former conservative, who joined Macron's centrist movement in 2017, has held posts in local government, the overseas territories and during Macron's "great debate" of the yellow vests, where he managed the dialogue with mass anger. He also offered to talk about autonomy during the Guadeloupe unrest in 2021.

His rise reflects Macron's instinct to reward loyalty, but also the need for continuity, as repeated budget showdowns toppled his predecessors and left France in crisis, writes France24.