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Lecornu Installs 34-Member Cabinet as Budget Deadline Nears

Survival now hinges on Socialist demands following censure vows by LFI and the National Rally.

Overview

  • France named a second Lecornu government on Oct 12 with 34 ministers mixing technocrats and politicians, including Laurent Nunez at interior, Catherine Vautrin at defence, Roland Lescure over the economy and finances, Jean‑Noël Barrot at foreign affairs, and Gérald Darmanin at justice.
  • The government plans a first cabinet meeting on Tuesday to validate and transmit the 2026 draft budget so Parliament can meet the 70‑day constitutional review period, with the Élysée indicating the proposal must be ready by Oct 15.
  • La France insoumise and the National Rally said they will lodge no‑confidence motions starting Monday, while the Socialists withheld support and set conditions such as suspending the 2023 pension reform, avoiding use of article 49.3, and adopting measures on purchasing power.
  • Les Républicains’ leadership moved to exclude six of its members who accepted ministerial posts, deepening party rifts after the party had ruled out participating in the new government.
  • Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu warned he would resign again if a workable path is not found, as pass‑the‑baton ceremonies were kept low‑key and his policy speech is expected in the coming days.