French President Emmanuel Macron appointed a new budget minister on Sunday in part of a reshuffle of senior positions in his administration that has drawn criticism from opposition parties.

French President Emmanuel Macron appointed a new budget minister on Sunday in part of a reshuffle of senior positions in his administration that has drawn criticism from opposition parties.

French President Emmanuel Macron announced a cabinet reshuffle on February 22, 2026, appointing civil service minister David Amiel as the new budget minister, while transferring Amélie de Montchalin to lead the Cour des Comptes, France’s supreme audit institution according to Bloomberg. The move has drawn sharp criticism from opposition parties, who accuse Macron of consolidating control over key institutions ahead of his 2027 re-election bid.

The Cour des Comptes, responsible for auditing public finances and evaluating government policies, is now led by de Montchalin, a longtime Macron ally. Critics argue this creates a conflict of interest, as she will oversee audits of the 2026 budget she previously helped draft as budget minister according to France 24. Jordan Bardella of the far-right National Rally condemned the appointment, claiming Macron is "locking down institutions" to obstruct future democratic transitions according to Bloomberg.

France's fiscal challenges remain acute, with the deficit projected at 5% of GDP for 2026—down from 5.4% in 2025 but still the largest in the eurozone according to Bloomberg. The Cour des Comptes recently warned that even this revised target is "very uncertain," citing structural challenges in implementing austerity measures amid a divided parliament according to Bloomberg.

Macron's reshuffle also includes Richard Ferrand, a former party secretary, as head of the Conseil Constitutionnel, France's highest constitutional authority according to France 24. These appointments raise concerns about institutional independence, particularly as Macron's term ends in 2027. François Villeroy de Galhau, the outgoing Bank of France governor, emphasized the need to preserve central bank autonomy, though his own departure and that of European Central Bank President Christine Lagarde may create further opportunities for political influence according to Bloomberg.

While de Montchalin's economic credentials are acknowledged, critics stress that her role at the Cour des Comptes could undermine public trust in its impartiality. Éric Coquerel, head of the National Assembly's finance committee, questioned how she could credibly audit her own work according to France 24. The reshuffle underscores growing tensions between Macron's administration and a fragmented parliament, as the president seeks to advance his agenda amid looming elections.