French President Emmanuel Macron, according to the media, has not yet chosen a successor to Michel Barnier after the government’s resignation and is considering several potential candidates.
Among the discussed candidates is the current Minister of Defense, Sébastien Lecornu, who has been a steady member of the government since 2017, despite having changed positions. Lecornu has good relations with both right-wing politicians and the National Rally of Marine Le Pen, which could work in his favor.
Another potential candidate is François Bayrou, leader of the Democratic Movement (MoDem). Once an ally of Macron, he has distanced himself from the president in recent years but still maintains influence within Macron’s circle. His candidacy is seen positively by most political forces in the National Assembly, including Le Pen’s party.
The name of former Prime Minister and left-wing politician Bernard Cazeneuve has also been raised. However, Macron is concerned that his candidacy may face criticism from right-wing parties. Lastly, Interior Minister Bruno Retailleau, a member of the Republicans, is also mentioned as a possible candidate.
On December 4, the National Assembly voted for a vote of no confidence in Michel Barnier’s government, marking the first such occurrence since 1962. This happened amid prolonged negotiations over budget issues, where different political forces demanded concessions.
