• New Prime Minister Sebastien Lecornu takes office amidst widespread anti-government protests.
• Protests express discontent with President Macron's policies and proposed budget cuts.
• Lecornu faces a split parliament and urgent deadline for the 2026 budget draft.
• Political factions show mixed reactions, with potential no-confidence motions being discussed.

France's new Prime Minister, Sebastien Lecornu, took office on September 10 during a day of extensive anti-government protests highlighting the ongoing political crisis in the country. Lecornu, a loyalist to President Emmanuel Macron, is the fifth person to hold this position in two years and previously served as the defense minister. His appointment follows the ousting of former Prime Minister Francois Bayrou over budgetary measures aimed at addressing France's significant deficit, which stood at 5.8% of GDP in 2024, a challenge he will have to navigate carefully, according to Reuters, South China Morning Post, and TRT Global.

With a parliamentary environment split into three ideological blocs, Lecornu aims to build consensus to pass a streamlined budget by the deadline of October 7, with a grace period until October 13. However, divisions within the parliament pose a serious challenge. The far-left has announced intentions to initiate a no-confidence motion against him, while the far-right National Rally (RN) has signaled potential cooperation on budgetary matters, contingent upon their demands being met. RN lawmaker Laure Lavalette emphasized that "His budget will be RN or his government will not be," reflecting the stakes Lecornu faces in garnering support, as reported by Reuters and South China Morning Post.

A day marked by massive protests, known as the “Block Everything” protests, saw thousands of citizens express their frustration towards Macron's proposed budget cuts and the overall political situation. Public unrest has been simmering for years, as articulated by union member Daniel Bretones during a protest in Marseille, who stated, "We're on the fifth prime minister under Macron's second term, and it has never changed anything." The government mobilized over 80,000 police officers to manage the tumultuous protests, during which demonstrators disrupted traffic and engaged in clashes with security forces, according to Reuters, South China Morning Post, and TRT Global.

As he steps into his role, Lecornu has vowed to adopt a more creative approach in working with opposition parties to navigate the forthcoming budget considerations. He acknowledged the necessity of forming alliances with groups that have historically stood opposed to his policies, such as the Socialists, who wish to modify budget cuts and impose higher taxes on the affluent. Striking a balance between conflicting interests will be essential for Lecornu to maintain governance stability amidst this turbulent period, according to Reuters, South China Morning Post, and TRT Global.