France’s reappointed Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu has announced a new Cabinet of 34 ministers, tasked with producing a national budget before the end of the year amid mounting political and economic pressures.
The Cabinet, slightly smaller than the previous 36-member government under former Prime Minister François Bayrou, includes a mix of experienced officials, centrist allies of President Emmanuel Macron, conservatives, and some figures from outside the political sphere.
Key appointments include Laurent Nunez as interior minister, overseeing national security; Catherine Vautrin as defence minister, responsible for military support for Ukraine and European security; and Roland Lescure as finance minister, charged with tackling rising debt and poverty. Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot, Justice Minister Gérald Darmanin, and Culture Minister Rachida Dati retain their positions.
Lecornu, 39, is Macron’s fourth prime minister in a year and a close ally of the president. He faces an immediate challenge: securing parliamentary support in a deeply fractured National Assembly, where centrist, far-right, and far-left factions hold significant influence. Opposition parties, including Marine Le Pen’s National Rally and Jean-Luc Mélenchon’s France Unbowed, are pressing for new elections or Macron’s resignation, while key conservative allies have expressed discontent, expelling six party members who joined the Cabinet.
The new government follows a period of intense political uncertainty. Lecornu initially formed a Cabinet last week but resigned hours later after a coalition protest, before being reappointed by Macron. He has acknowledged the difficulties of governing a country divided over pension reforms and other contentious policies.
President Macron’s controversial pension reform, which gradually raises the retirement age from 62 to 64, remains a flashpoint. Opposition parties are demanding its repeal, adding to the pressure on Lecornu’s new Cabinet.
The government’s first Cabinet meeting is expected on Tuesday. Barrot will accompany Macron to Egypt on Monday for an international ceremony marking the Gaza ceasefire, signalling France’s continued engagement in global affairs despite domestic instability.
With an urgent budget to deliver and deep political divisions to navigate, Lecornu’s new government faces a critical test in maintaining stability and reassuring businesses, investors, and international partners.
Georgia plans to cover the overwhelming majority of its natural gas consumption in 2026 through imports from Azerbaijan, according to the gas balance ...
Britain’s government has launched a TikTok account featuring footage of raids on migrants suspected of working illegally, as part of an effort to pe...
Pope Leo is planning to visit Angola as part of a wider tour of several African countries, the Vatican’s ambassador to Angola said on Tuesday, in wh...
Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan has rejected criticism over the import of fuel from Azerbaijan, saying such concerns are “unfounded” and a...
The BBC will file a motion to dismiss President Donald Trump’s $10 billion lawsuit which is based on the editing of a speech appearing to encourage ...
Britain’s government has launched a TikTok account featuring footage of raids on migrants suspected of working illegally, as part of an effort to persuade voters and potential arrivals that it is getting to grips with what many regard as the country’s most pressing issue: immigration.
Political and security developments across Africa and beyond are in focus, from elections and tightened security to disputed diplomatic claims. The stories highlight ongoing challenges around stability, governance and international responsibility.
Pope Leo is planning to visit Angola as part of a wider tour of several African countries, the Vatican’s ambassador to Angola said on Tuesday, in what could become the pontiff’s first overseas trip in 2026.
The BBC will file a motion to dismiss President Donald Trump’s $10 billion lawsuit which is based on the editing of a speech appearing to encourage storming the U.S. Capitol on 6 January.
Real Madrid have parted ways with coach Xabi Alonso, appointing former defender Álvaro Arbeloa as his replacement.
Timothée Chalamet won the Golden Globe for best male actor in a musical or comedy on Sunday for his role in Marty Supreme, beating strong competition in one of the night’s most closely watched categories.
Hawaii’s Kīlauea volcano is showing increased activity, with lava flowing from two summit craters and flames, smoke and ash rising from the caldera.
Israel has sharply escalated its warnings to Lebanon amid rising regional tensions linked to Iran, according to a report by the Lebanese newspaper Nida Al Watan.
Iranian authorities have taken steps to disrupt access to Starlink satellite internet, according to users and digital-rights groups, in what appears to be the latest effort to tighten control over people’s access to the internet inside the country.
Britain’s government has launched a TikTok account featuring footage of raids on migrants suspected of working illegally, as part of an effort to persuade voters and potential arrivals that it is getting to grips with what many regard as the country’s most pressing issue: immigration.
Pope Leo is planning to visit Angola as part of a wider tour of several African countries, the Vatican’s ambassador to Angola said on Tuesday, in what could become the pontiff’s first overseas trip in 2026.
The BBC will file a motion to dismiss President Donald Trump’s $10 billion lawsuit which is based on the editing of a speech appearing to encourage storming the U.S. Capitol on 6 January.
Hong Kong’s High Court has concluded mitigation hearings for media tycoon and China critic Jimmy Lai, bringing his high-profile national security case closer to sentencing.
French farmers have driven hundreds of tractors into Paris in a renewed protest against an EU-Mercosur trade agreement they say threatens domestic agriculture by allowing cheaper South American imports.
You can download the AnewZ application from Play Store and the App Store.
What is your opinion on this topic?
Leave the first comment