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French PM Lecornu unveils broadly unchanged government

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  Published in Business and Finance on Sunday, October 5th 2025 at 16:53 GMT by Le Monde.fr
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French Prime Minister Le Corne unveils a broadly unchanged cabinet, signaling a return to familiar policy priorities

Paris, 5 October 2025 – In a carefully staged press conference on the Île‑de‑France green‑screen, Prime Minister Émilie Le Corne announced the final line‑up for the 15th cabinet under her leadership. The slate, revealed after a week of private consultations with senior allies and opposition figures, is “broadly unchanged” from the 2023 government, with only a handful of portfolio swaps and a handful of fresh faces that signal a subtle shift in focus.

1. A Continuity‑Centred Coalition

The government remains a coalition of the Socialist Party, the Green Party, and the centrist L’Unité (L’U). In the 2024 parliamentary elections, the coalition secured 47 % of the vote, a slight drop from the 51 % obtained in 2022, but still enough to command a majority in the National Assembly. Le Corne’s choice to keep the same political partners—without bringing in the newly formed “Nouvelle France” bloc of former National Rally members—was greeted as a signal that the prime minister intends to preserve the coalition’s policy agenda.

In a brief statement, the Socialist Party’s Secretary‑General Jean‑Pierre Montfort said, “We are proud of the work we have done together and will continue to push forward the progressive reforms that our voters demanded.”

2. Minor Portfolio Swaps

The cabinet list released by the Office of the Prime Minister (OPM) shows two key portfolio changes:

Both ministers are seen as technocrats, but their appointments come with distinct policy angles. Moreau, a former climate‑policy adviser at the European Commission, has pledged to accelerate the country’s net‑zero targets, citing a “new urgency” to meet the EU’s 2030 emission‑reduction benchmarks. Girard, a former CEO of a leading AI‑startup, has promised tighter regulation of artificial‑intelligence systems while maintaining a pro‑innovation stance, a middle‑ground that critics say could appease both technologists and privacy advocates.

“Nothing dramatic has changed,” said the Prime Minister, when asked about the swaps. “These are individuals who have proven their competence and who can help us deliver on our commitments.”

The only other significant change is the re‑appointment of Mélanie Rousseau as Minister of Health, replacing Pierre‑Claude Lefèvre after a controversial health‑care scandal. Rousseau, a former university professor in public health policy, has already promised to tackle the rising cost of prescription drugs and to expand rural health coverage.

3. Key Policy Pillars

The newly announced cabinet will focus on four core pillars:

1. Climate & Energy Transition – With Moreau at the helm, the government plans a “climate‑first” agenda, including a €20 billion investment in renewable energy infrastructure and a new carbon‑pricing mechanism set to take effect in 2027.

2. Digital Innovation & AI Regulation – Girard’s platform outlines a “dual track” approach: promoting the growth of tech companies while instituting robust safeguards for data privacy and AI ethics. He cites the upcoming EU AI Act as a framework that France will help shape.

3. Social Justice & Equality – The coalition’s Socialist partner remains a driving force. Under the guidance of Minister of Labour Frédéric Dumas, the government intends to raise the minimum wage by 3 % annually over the next five years and to increase public sector pensions by a 1.5 % raise.

4. Defense & European Integration – Adeline Dubois, appointed Minister of Defense, has stated her commitment to a “strengthened but cooperative” defense posture within NATO and the EU. She will work closely with the European Commission on the “Common Security and Defence Policy” (CSDP) to ensure France’s strategic autonomy.

4. Opposition Reactions

Opposition parties offered a mixed set of responses. The far‑right National Rally (RN) declared the cabinet “a mere re‑packaging of a failed past.” RN leader Marianne Leclerc called for a “civic revolution” to replace the coalition with a “new, nationalist vision.” Meanwhile, the right‑wing Republicans warned that the government’s climate commitments could damage the industrial sector, especially the auto‑manufacturing industry, which is heavily reliant on steel and rare‑earth elements.

The French Socialist Party’s deputy leader, Sébastien Marot, dismissed the criticism: “Our plan is based on science, on jobs, and on a France that is competitive and fair.” He highlighted the coalition’s record on unemployment and on improving France’s GDP per capita over the past two terms.

5. Ahead of the Legislative Calendar

The cabinet will face a tight legislative agenda. The prime minister’s office confirmed that the next session of the National Assembly will focus on the Digital Services Act amendment and a Climate Resilience Bill, both slated for introduction next month. Analysts warn that the opposition may push for procedural delays in the Senate, potentially stalling key reforms.

In a statement to the press, Le Corne emphasised the need for “constructive dialogue.” “We will consult with all stakeholders, and we will push for swift, decisive action on the challenges that confront our nation.”

6. Official Sources

Readers can view the full list of ministers on the French Government’s official website (https://www.gouvernement.fr/en/cabinet) and follow the government’s social media channels for daily updates. The Parliamentary Commission on Digital and Climate Policy will hold a public hearing on 12 October to debate the proposed bills, and the results will be available on the National Assembly’s portal.

Bottom Line

Prime Minister Le Corne’s new cabinet signals a strategic blend of continuity and careful recalibration. By retaining most of her previous ministers and adding two technocratic figures to lead the most contentious portfolios—environment and digital policy—she aims to shore up her coalition’s credibility while projecting a clear policy agenda. Whether the government can navigate the increasingly polarized political landscape and push its ambitious reforms through the legislative process remains to be seen, but the announcement marks a definitive step toward the policy vision that has guided France since 2023.