Unemployment at 8,3%: Sébastien Lecornu defends the government's record since 2017

Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu reacted to the rise in the unemployment rate in France, which reached 8,3% in the second quarter of 2026. On the social network X, he defended the record of the policies carried out since the first election of Emmanuel Macron in 2017.

"No denial in the face of rising unemployment. But no caricature either." wrote Sébastien Lecornu on the social network X.

“More than 2 million jobs have been created since 2017. Never before have so many French people been working.” he added.

Unemployment rate at its highest since autumn 2020

The unemployment rate rose by 0,2 points in the second quarter to reach 8,3%, according to data published Friday by the National Institute of Statistics and Economic Studies (Insee).

This is its highest level since autumn 2020, a period marked by the health crisis, and previously since autumn 2019.

With eight months to go before the presidential election scheduled for April and May 2027, rising unemployment has once again become a central issue in the political debate. The Prime Minister, however, emphasizes the statistical impact of the law aimed at achieving full employment.

"And if the Full Employment law passed by Parliament now includes in the statistics people who were previously excluded, I prefer a policy that supports them towards employment to a statistic that has left them out until now." continued Sébastien Lecornu.

The law for full employment invoked by the Prime Minister

Implemented in January 2025, the law for full employment notably provides for the automatic registration of beneficiaries of the active solidarity income (RSA) and young people supported by local missions on the lists of job seekers.

Since this law came into effect, "those receiving RSA benefits and young people aged 15 to 29 account for almost half of the increase in the unemployment rate," specifies INSEE.

Sébastien Lecornu also reiterated his government's objectives regarding employment.

"A better functioning labor market, a decrease in structural unemployment, and support towards employment for all those who need it," the Prime Minister listed.

Bruno Retailleau criticizes the record of Macronism

Among the candidates for the presidential election, the president of the Republicans, Bruno Retailleau, reacted strongly to the publication of the unemployment figures.

“In ten years of Macronism, the French have only seen three things increase: their taxes, the number of civil servants, and unemployment. That’s the real record of the ‘start-up nation’.” Bruno Retailleau stated.