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In a move aimed at stabilizing France's fractured political landscape, President Emmanuel Macron has appointed François Bayrou as the new Prime Minister, the Elysée announced on Friday. Bayrou, a veteran centrist and one of Macron’s earliest allies, steps into the role following the collapse of Michel Barnier’s government last week.
Bayrou’s appointment comes after a period of intense speculation and last-minute deliberations. Despite being widely considered the frontrunner, reports indicated that his chances wavered after a tense two-hour meeting with Macron on Friday morning. The official announcement came shortly before 1 p.m. Paris time, missing Macron’s self-imposed Thursday deadline to select a new premier.
The dramatic delay underscored the difficulty of the decision. The political scene at Matignon Palace, the Prime Minister's official residence, reflected the uncertainty—staff had prepared for the ceremonial transition but were left unsure of details like microphone height for the incoming Prime Minister.
Bayrou faces the daunting task of navigating a deeply divided National Assembly, which remains split into three major blocs: left-wing, center-right, and far-right. This fragmentation previously led to the downfall of Barnier's administration after his attempt to pass a reduced social security budget aimed at addressing France's soaring deficit. Marine Le Pen’s far-right National Rally initially supported Barnier but withdrew backing over budget disagreements, ultimately collapsing the government.
Given this political gridlock, Bayrou's immediate challenge will be forming a government capable of surviving confidence votes. The hard-left France Unbowed party has already pledged to propose a no-confidence motion, while National Rally President Jordan Bardella criticized Bayrou’s appointment, claiming he lacks “democratic legitimacy or majority support.” Bardella also insisted that the conditions which led to Barnier's downfall remain unchanged.
As Bayrou takes office, his ability to engage with opposition parties and build consensus will be critical to avoiding the same fate as his predecessor in a parliament that has shown little inclination for cooperation.
Source: Politico
