Macron Loyalist Roland Lescure Named French Finance Minister Amid Cabinet Reshuffle

French President Emmanuel Macron and Prime Minister Sebastien Lecornu have appointed Roland Lescure, a close ally of Macron with a left-leaning background, as the new finance and economy minister, replacing Eric Lombard. This appointment is part of a broader cabinet reshuffle aimed at stabilizing the government, which includes significant holdovers such as Education Minister Elisabeth Borne, Foreign Minister Jean-Nol Barrot, and Justice Minister Gérald Darmanin. Veteran centrist Bruno Le Maire, formerly finance minister, was unexpectedly named defense minister, signaling continuity amid political challenges. Despite the reshuffle, opposition parties, particularly on the left and right, have threatened no-confidence motions, demanding a clear break from Macron's previous policies. The new cabinet faces the critical task of navigating fraught budget negotiations and maintaining fragile alliances to prevent government collapse. Prime Minister Lecornu is set to outline his policy program soon, which will be a key test for the new administration's stability and direction.