French President Emmanuel Macron assembled a new government on Sunday under Prime Minister Sebastien Lecornu, but opposition leaders across the political spectrum condemned the cabinet as largely unchanged from previous administrations. Bruno Le Maire moved from economy minister to defense chief, while Roland Lescure assumed the finance portfolio with the task of passing an austerity budget. Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot and Interior Minister Bruno Retailleau retained their positions.
Far-right leader Marine Le Pen called the appointments pathetic, and Socialist lawmakers accused Macron of deepening national chaos. The government faces immediate threats of collapse in a fractured parliament where three rival blocs hold power. France carries the European Union's third-highest debt-to-GDP ratio after Greece and Italy, nearly double the permitted 60 percent threshold.
Lecornu became Macron's seventh prime minister after his two predecessors fell over budget disputes. Political analysts warn the new administration may not survive beyond next week without broader cross-party cooperation. Macron has 18 months remaining in his term amid record-low approval ratings.
Far-right leader Marine Le Pen called the appointments pathetic, and Socialist lawmakers accused Macron of deepening national chaos. The government faces immediate threats of collapse in a fractured parliament where three rival blocs hold power. France carries the European Union's third-highest debt-to-GDP ratio after Greece and Italy, nearly double the permitted 60 percent threshold.
Lecornu became Macron's seventh prime minister after his two predecessors fell over budget disputes. Political analysts warn the new administration may not survive beyond next week without broader cross-party cooperation. Macron has 18 months remaining in his term amid record-low approval ratings.
