Macron appoints loyalist Lecornu as new French PM

Emmanuel Macron appointed Sebastien Lecornu as France’s new prime minister, betting on continuity amid protests, opposition anger and budget battles.

Transcript

00:00French President Emmanuel Macron has named close ally Sébastien Le Corneau as the new Prime Minister.

00:0724 hours after a vote of confidence outstead François Beirut as head of government.

00:13Le Corneau becomes Macron's fifth Prime Minister in less than two years,

00:17taking over at a time of mounting political and economic challenges.

00:23The 39-year-old was among the favourites to take over.

00:27For the past three years, he served as France's Armed Forces Minister,

00:31focusing on the country's response to Russia's war in Ukraine.

00:35The appointment signals Macron's determination to continue governing with a minority government

00:40and to protect his reform agenda, which includes tax cuts and a higher retirement age.

00:46In an unusual move, Macron had instructed Le Corneau to consult all political parties

00:51to find compromises on the budget and other policies before forming his cabinet.

00:57That budget will be Le Corneau's first major test,

01:00with France's deficit remaining nearly double the EU's 3% ceiling.

01:04Pushing through the budget was what brought down Beirut.