French President Macron searches for a new Prime Minister after Bayrou's dismissal

In a significant political move, President Emmanuel Macron appointed Sébastien Lecornu as the new Prime Minister of France on September 9, 2025. The appointment comes a day after the fall of François Bayrou's government.

The political landscape in France is shifting, with the 2027 presidential election looming on the horizon. Analysts predict that the French far-right will have its best-ever chance of winning, a potential outcome that could significantly alter the country's political course.

One of the main contenders for the presidency, Marine Le Pen, faced a setback in March when a French court convicted her and other National Rally (RN) officials over an EU parliament fake jobs scam. However, a Paris court has scheduled Le Pen's appeal to be heard from January 13 to February 12, 2026, well before the election. This development could potentially resurrect her presidential hopes.

The political upheaval in France is not limited to the presidential race. The fall of Bayrou's government was a result of a confidence vote, in which 364 deputies voted that they had no confidence in the government, while 194 gave it their confidence. Bayrou, who had blindsided even his allies by calling the confidence vote to end a lengthy standoff over his austerity budget, suffered a crushing loss.

France is also facing social tensions. A left-wing collective named "Block Everything" has called for a day of action on Wednesday, and trade unions are urging workers to strike on September 18. These actions indicate a growing discontent among the French population, which is putting additional pressure on the new government.

In the midst of these challenges, President Macron faces one of the most critical domestic decisions of his presidency: choosing a new prime minister. Heavyweight right-wing cabinet ministers, like Justice Minister Gerald Darmanin, are trusted by Macron but risk being voted out by the left. On the other hand, Macron is considering lower-profile cabinet members such as Health Minister Catherine Vautrin or Finance Minister Eric Lombard for the prime minister role.

The Socialist Party (PS) has expressed readiness to lead a new government, with Olivier Faure, the party's leader, stating that it's time for the left to govern France again. Le Pen, meanwhile, has urged Macron to call snap legislative elections, arguing that holding the polls is "not an option but an obligation".

President Macron will accept the resignation of Prime Minister Francois Bayrou on Tuesday. This marks the sixth prime minister under Macron since his 2017 election, but the fifth since 2022. The French presidency has stated that Macron will name a new prime minister "in the next days".

It's important to note that Macron is forbidden from standing for a third term in 2027, which could further complicate the political landscape in France. The French people, according to a poll, want Macron to resign rather than name a new prime minister, with 64 percent of the French expressing this sentiment.

The events unfolding in France promise to shape the country's political future in the coming months. As the new prime minister takes office, they will face the daunting task of navigating these challenges and finding solutions that address the concerns of the French people.