Sébastien Lecornu marks one year at Matignon amid economic and popularity challenges

French Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu has completed one year at Matignon, maintaining his position despite chronic budget instability and an ungovernable Parliament. While noted for his tactical ability to avoid divisive reforms and unnecessary provocations, his administration faces criticism for failing to implement structural economic measures to address a public debt nearing 115% of GDP.

Recent polling from the Ifop-Fiducial barometer shows a decline in popularity for Lecornu and several key cabinet members, including Gérald Darmanin, Catherine Vautrin, and Jean-Noël Barrot, following a summer marked by heatwaves and wildfires. While Lecornu has seen a drop in popularity among his right-wing electorate, Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez remains a notable exception in the current political landscape. Meanwhile, President Emmanuel Macron continues to face high disapproval ratings, with nearly seven in ten French citizens holding a negative opinion of him.