Jean-Yves Le Drian Declines Offer to Become France's Next Prime Minister

The former foreign minister cited his age as a key factor in rejecting President Macron's proposal for the role.

Jean-Yves Le Drian, 78, confirmed he turned down President Emmanuel Macron's offer to become France's next prime minister, deeming it 'not serious' given his age.
Le Drian made the announcement during a conference in Saint-Brieuc, where he discussed global shifts and his decision to step back from such high-level responsibilities.
The former defense and foreign minister under Presidents Hollande and Macron has been a prominent figure in French politics for decades, currently serving as Macron's special envoy to Lebanon.
Macron continues consultations to find a successor to outgoing Prime Minister Michel Barnier, meeting with MoDem leader François Bayrou as part of the process.
The delay in appointing a new prime minister reflects ongoing political challenges, including the need to navigate a fractured parliamentary landscape and secure cooperation across parties.