Overview

• Sébastien Lecornu, 39, succeeded François Bayrou and takes office with a noon passation of power on the day of a decentralized 'Bloquons tout' mobilization, ahead of a national union strike on September 18.
• The Élysée tasked him with consulting parties to build agreements that prevent censure, a prerequisite for steering a 2026 budget that must reach deputies by mid‑October under constitutional deadlines.
• Initial reactions were hostile: the Socialist Party said no socialist will participate and warned of 'social anger,' while the RN and LFI denounced the choice and threatened censure or demanded dissolution.
• La France insoumise said it has filed a motion of destitution with 86 signatories, adding to the parliamentary pressure on a government with no majority.
• An interlocutor of Emmanuel Macron indicated he could accept concessions to the PS, such as taxing the wealthiest, but opposition parties have set red lines that complicate any non‑censure arrangement.