France’s new Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu faces backlash over past opposition to gay marriage
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The appointment of Sébastien Lecornu as France’s new Prime Minister has sparked controversy, particularly among LGBTQ+ advocates and left-wing politicians, due to his past opposition to same-sex marriage.
Lecornu, a long-time ally of President Emmanuel Macron and former Defence Minister, was named Prime Minister on 9 September following the ousting of François Bayrou in a parliamentary confidence vote. While his political experience and loyalty to Macron are seen as assets in navigating France’s turbulent political landscape, his record on LGBTQ+ rights has drawn sharp criticism.
In 2012, during his candidacy for mayor of Vernon, Lecornu made statements opposing marriage equality. He described marriage as “the basis for building a family in our societies,” asserting that “a family is built between a man and a woman.” He also controversially remarked that “gay communitarianism frustrates [him] as much as homophobia,” a comment that has resurfaced and reignited debate.
Lecornu also expressed resistance to adoption rights for same-sex couples and opposed surrogacy and medically assisted reproduction for single women and lesbian couples. Although he later claimed to have “evolved” on some of these issues, critics argue that his past positions reflect a deeper ideological stance that remains troubling.
Left-wing figures such as Marine Tondelier and Sandrine Rousseau have publicly condemned Lecornu’s appointment, with some labelling him “homophobic.” The Inter-LGBT association expressed disappointment, stating on social media: “We expected nothing, and we’re still disappointed.”
Despite the backlash, Macron has tasked Lecornu with stabilising the government and forging consensus on France’s 2026 budget amid mounting public debt.
