French President Macron has appointed Defense Minister Sébastien Lecornu as France’s new prime minister, the country’s fourth in about a year

France's Prime Minister Francois Bayrou, left, and France's Defense Minister Sebastien Lecornu, attend a farewell ceremony for outgoing Chief of Staff of the French Armed Forces Thierry Burkhard, in the courtyard of the Invalides, in Paris, France, Friday, Sept. 5, 2025. (AP Photo/Christophe Ena, Pool)

PARIS (AP) — French President Macron late Tuesday appointed Defense Minister Sébastien Lecornu as France’s new prime minister, the country’s fourth in about a year.

Lecornu, 39, is the youngest defense minister in French history and architect of a major military buildup through 2030, spurred by Russia’s war in Ukraine.

A former conservative who joined Macron’s centrist movement in 2017, he has held posts on local authorities, overseas territories and during Macron’s yellow vest “great debate,” where he managed mass anger with dialogue. He also offered talks on autonomy during unrest in Guadeloupe in 2021.

His rise reflects Macron’s instinct to reward loyalty, but also the need for continuity as repeated budget showdowns have toppled his predecessors and left France in drift.