Lecornu government faces immediate crisis with Republicans
Sébastien Lecornu announced 18 ministers for his government on Sunday evening, featuring many reappointments and the surprise return of Bruno Le Maire to the Armies. Barely formed, the executive draws ire from Republicans, with Bruno Retailleau decrying the lack of promised rupture, and censure threats from the left and National Rally. A first cabinet meeting is set for Monday at 4 p.m., ahead of the policy speech on Tuesday.
Twenty-six days after his appointment to Matignon on September 9, 2025, Sébastien Lecornu unveiled the first batch of 18 ministers on Sunday, October 5, primarily from the 'common base' including Renaissance, Republicans (LR), MoDem, Horizons, and UDI. Reappointments include Bruno Retailleau at the Interior, Gérald Darmanin at Justice, Élisabeth Borne at Education, Rachida Dati at Culture, and Catherine Vautrin at Labor. New entries feature the return of former Economy Minister Bruno Le Maire to the Armies; Roland Lescure to the Economy; Éric Woerth to Territorial Planning; and first-time ministerial roles for Naïma Moutchou at Public Service and Marina Ferrari at Sports.
The announcement, after a tense weekend of negotiations, sparked an immediate crisis within LR, which had agreed to participate Sunday afternoon via videoconference. Reappointed but furious, Bruno Retailleau tweeted: “The composition of the government does not reflect the promised rupture,” and is convening a strategic committee Monday morning. Cannes Mayor David Lisnard threatens to leave LR if participation is confirmed, calling it distressing. Rachida Dati defends unity: “Leaving the government hours after agreeing to join is playing chaos and disorder.”
On the left, socialists, ecologists, and Insoumis prepare a censure vote after Tuesday's speech. Olivier Faure warns: “The cup is full, and if things don't change, we are heading straight for censure.” Marine Tondelier mocks: “After the bonus for incumbents, Macronists invent the bonus for incompetence.” Jean-Luc Mélenchon ridicules a “procession of revenants.” At the National Rally, Jordan Bardella blasts continuity without rupture and threatens: “It's rupture or censure.” Marine Le Pen adds: “Our arms are dropping.”
Lecornu emphasizes a stable government to pass a budget by year-end without Article 49.3, seeking compromises. A cabinet meeting is scheduled for Monday at 4 p.m. with Emmanuel Macron, amid parliamentary instability following the June 2024 dissolution.