French President Emmanuel Macron appointed Sébastien Lecornu as the new prime minister on Tuesday. Lecornu, who previously served as defense minister, is tasked with uniting the country's political factions to agree on a budget for France, one of the world's largest economies. At 39, he is the youngest person to hold the position of prime minister in France's history.

Lecornu's appointment comes amid significant political turmoil. He is the fourth prime minister appointed by Macron in less than a year. His predecessor, François Bayrou, was ousted by a confidence vote in parliament just nine months into his term. Bayrou's government faced criticism for its plans to cut public spending in an effort to address France's growing debt.

In a statement, Macron emphasized the need for Lecornu to engage with all political parties in parliament before forming his cabinet. This approach is unusual in French politics and reflects Macron's desire for consensus amid a divided legislature. "The prime minister’s action will be guided by the defense of our independence and our power, serving the French and the political and institutional stability for the unity of our country," Macron said.

Lecornu's immediate priority will be to draft a budget for 2026, a task that proved challenging for Bayrou. The new prime minister's appointment comes just before a planned protest by a movement called "Block Everything," which has prompted the government to deploy 80,000 police officers to maintain order.

A former conservative, Lecornu joined Macron's centrist movement in 2017. He has held various government positions, including overseeing overseas territories and managing public dialogue during the yellow vest protests against social injustice. His experience includes addressing unrest in Guadeloupe in 2021, where he proposed discussions on autonomy amid local frustrations.

Lecornu's defense spending plan, which amounts to 413 billion euros ($435 billion) for 2024-2030, represents the largest military budget increase in France in 50 years. This funding aims to modernize France's nuclear arsenal and enhance intelligence capabilities.

The political landscape in France remains precarious, with the far-right National Rally party, led by Marine Le Pen, poised to influence Lecornu's government. Le Pen criticized Macron's decision to appoint a loyalist, suggesting it reflects a disconnect from the broader electorate. Despite this, some members of the National Rally have indicated a willingness to work with Lecornu, provided he adheres to their conditions regarding fiscal policy.