Bruno Le Maire Resigns After Government Crisis

President Emmanuel Macron’s surprise appointment of former finance minister Bruno Le Maire as defence minister set off a political crisis that enraged the right‑wing Républicains and led Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu — who had been in office for just 27 days — to resign. Le Maire said he would withdraw from the government and offered his immediate resignation, which Macron accepted; ministers will remain in their posts in a caretaker capacity while a new cabinet is formed. Party leaders accused Lecornu of not consulting them about Le Maire’s nomination, and there is speculation Macron could reappoint Lecornu to steady the situation. Observers say the immediate priority for any defence minister is securing the extra billions in defence spending France has pledged, and Le Maire’s long record as economy and finance minister (2017–2024) helped fuel the backlash within the coalition.