PARIS — Emmanuel Macron has picked 33-year-old David Amiel to become France’s new budget minister, the French presidency announced on Sunday — a crucial role as the French government attempts to get its deficit under control amid a deep political crisis.
Amiel replaces Amélie de Montchalin, a close ally of Macron who was appointed as head of France’s top court of auditors earlier this month. The controversial move led to accusations that the French president was politicizing a key French institution.
Navigating budgetary debates has proven tricky since the 2024 general election in France, which led to a hung parliament. The French parliament ousted the two prime ministers who preceded current leader Sébastien Lecornu over their budgetary plans.
In his first statement in his new role, Amiel said he would seek to ensure that the hard-fought budget for 2026, which was officially passed only last month, is properly rolled out. He also listed a series of aims including getting a better grip on tax evasion and welfare fraud.
The current budget is expected to leave France with a deficit of 5 percent of its gross domestic product for 2026, per the government’s most recent estimate. Amiel has spent the last three months as minister for France’s public sector, his first government role.
