Bayrou’s nine-month tenure ended after his austerity budget and controversial remarks triggered a political crisis. Macron has tasked Lecornu with building parliamentary consensus for the national budget and future policy decisions.
Paris: French President Emmanuel Macron on Tuesday appointed Defence Minister Sebastien Lecornu as the new prime minister, succeeding Francois Bayrou, who lasted just nine months in office, the presidency confirmed. Macron instructed Lecornu to “consult the political forces represented in parliament to adopt a national budget and secure the agreements necessary for upcoming decisions,” according to an Elysee statement. Bayrou, 74, a veteran centrist and three-time presidential candidate, had been brought in last December to stabilize France under Macron. Leading a fragile centre-right coalition with only a parliamentary minority, he precipitated the political crisis by calling a confidence vote on his austerity budget, which aimed to reduce France’s debt by €44 billion. Known for his blunt remarks and frequent gaffes, Bayrou drew criticism for targeting older generations and proposing the elimination of public holidays.