Bayrou is Macron’s sixth prime minister as 2017 and the 28th prime minister of the Fifth Republic.
After intense consultations to find a successor to Michel Barnier, who was removed from office last week after a historic impeachment vote passed, and days of waiting, French President Emmanuel Macron announced his choice at noon on Friday.
“The President of the Republic appointed mr. françois Bayrou and tasked him with establishing a government,” a statement from the Elysée presidential palace emphasized.
The president appoints the prime minister, as specified in the Constitution, but he can only perform his duties with the support of the House of Representatives. with the National Assembly paralyzed as July – with no chance of a change until July 2025 – it would be perilous to predict any kind of success for bayrou, the BBC reports.
Bayrou said today that he knows his task of running a government in a deeply divided country without a clear parliamentary majority will be difficult.
“Everyone knows that the road will be long,” Bayrou told reporters from the French television network BFM.
It is indeed not difficult to read the scale of the challenge facing the 73-year-old veteran centrist politician, who is an ally of the French president, with the parties’ intentions towards Bayrou’s choice showing how fragile the political situation is and how close it is.It could also increase the vulnerability of the new Prime Minister to the unpopular Macron.
The first reactions
The socialist Party, with which macron “flirted” during the process of choosing a new prime minister, accused the french president of ignoring it’s demands for a left-wing leader, saying the choice of Bayrou was “dangerous “. “Therefore, we will not enter the government and we will remain in the opposition,” said Boris Valo, chairman of the Socialist parliamentary group.
The far right seemed to be taking a wait-and-see attitude. ”There will be no criticism in advance,” said Jordan Bardela, president of the far-right National Alarm, whose votes, along with those of left-wing MPs, allowed the ouster of former prime minister Michel Barnier in the National Assembly.
The radical left party “France Insubordinate” (LFI) supported a motion of censure against Bairou as he does not come from the ranks of the left. “mps have two choices: support the rescue or condemn Macron.We did ours,” wrote the president of the LFI caucus in the National Assembly, Mathilde Pano, to X. “We will file a motion of censure,” said the movement’s coordinator Manuel Bobard,denying an insult to democracy.
The Republican party has announced that it will decide whether its lawmakers will join a new government under Bayrou after the new prime minister presents his political program, said Laurent Vauquier, president of the Republican caucus. “Our collective decision on possible participation will depend on his schedule,” Vauquier said.
The leader of the Greens, Marine Todellier, said for her part that she would support a motion of censure against the new prime minister if he does not go ahead with tax relief and pension protection measures.
“Long way to go”, sober approach
Bayrou, the president of MoDem, a centrist party he founded, said in his first statement that he wanted “reconciliation” with the French in the face of the major political crisis from which the country is struggling to emerge after the dissolution of parliament in the month of June. .
Bayrou’s first task will be to appoint a new government, which could take several days. The composition of the government will be an indication of whether he has succeeded in building bridges with the Socialists on one side and Barnier’s conservatives on the other.
The new Prime Minister of France during the handover ceremony at the Matignon Palace, Friday, December 13, 2024.
Abdul Saboor, Pol via AP
But very soon he will be asked to draw up a new budget for 2025 to replace the one left behind by the Barnier government.
Reducing France’s accumulated debt is not only a political priority, but a moral obligation, the new prime minister said in his first remarks on taking office.
“The deficit and the debt, this is an issue that raises moral questions,” he emphasized.
Bayrou ran as president three times from 2002 to 2012, never reaching the second round of the election. His alliance with Macron in 2017 paved the way for the election of France’s youngest president.
He was then appointed Minister of Justice, but he only stayed in his position for 34 days, due to a situation in which his party was withdrawing European funds. The courts, in february, acquitted Bayrou. Since 2017, he has been the mayor of Pau, a city in the south-west of France.
The political crisis has an impact on the economy
The lingering political crisis has raised doubts about whether Macron will complete his second term as president until 2027.
That political uncertainty that has raised France’s borrowing costs along with the election season has plunged Germany into a power vacuum at the heart of Europe with Donald Trump in the White House.
Macron hopes that bairou can “survive” until at least July, when the country can hold new parliamentary elections.
How might Bayrou’s centrist positioning impact his ability to unify opposing political factions?
Interview between Time.news Editor and Political Expert
Time.news Editor: Good afternoon! Today, we have the pleasure of speaking with Dr. Claire Dupont, a seasoned political analyst specializing in french politics. Dr. Dupont, thank you for joining us.
Dr. Claire Dupont: It’s a pleasure to be here, thank you for having me.
Editor: Let’s dive right in. We’ve just witnessed the appointment of François Bayrou as France’s sixth prime minister under President Macron. What are your initial thoughts on this choice,especially considering the challenges he faces?
Dr. Dupont: Well, it’s quite a significant decision. François Bayrou is a veteran politician with decades of experience, which might be beneficial. though, given the current political landscape—specifically, the lack of a clear majority in the National assembly—he’s stepping into a very tricky situation. The House is almost paralyzed until 2025, which complicates matters considerably.
Editor: Indeed, Bayrou himself acknowledged that “the road will be long.” Do you think he has a viable strategy to navigate the deeply divided political climate in France?
Dr. Dupont: That remains to be seen. If we look at past instances, forming a stable government without a majority is a daunting challenge. Bayrou’s centrist positioning may allow him to act as a bridge, but he’ll need to attract support from both sides of the political spectrum, which is no small feat. His ability to negotiate and collaborate will be crucial.
Editor: The Socialist Party has criticized Macron for not choosing a left-wing leader and has expressed intentions to remain in opposition. How do you think this will impact Bayrou’s government?
Dr. Dupont: The Socialists’ outright refusal to enter the government reflects the contentious atmosphere. This will likely further isolate Bayrou and inhibit his ability to present a united front on critical issues. If the left is unwilling to engage, he might struggle to enact significant reforms or policies, as the opposition parties will be more inclined to challenge his every move.
Editor: The far-right, particularly the National alarm party, has taken a wait-and-see approach. What does this silence indicate about their stance toward Bayrou’s leadership?
Dr. Dupont: The far-right’s cautious stance could signal a strategic choice to observe how Bayrou handles his new role before committing to any critiques or alliances. They may be waiting to see if he stumbles or succeeds, which could provide them with an prospect to either bolster their claims or capitalize on any failures down the line.
Editor: François Bayrou is now 73 years old. Do you think his experience will be enough to counterbalance some of the new pressures he faces given his age and the current political climate?
Dr. dupont: Experience can be an asset,but it also comes with the challenge of connecting with a new generation of voters and political actors. His age might raise questions about his energy and responsiveness to contemporary issues.Balancing traditional political wisdom with the demands of modern governance will be vital for his success.
Editor: Given everything we’ve discussed,what do you think is the most critical factor that will determine Bayrou’s success or failure as prime Minister?
Dr.Dupont: I would say his ability to build coalitions is paramount. With such a fractured parliament, effective communication, negotiation skills, and a willingness to engage with both allies and adversaries will be essential. If he can forge meaningful alliances and present a cohesive agenda, he stands a chance. However, the road ahead is fraught with challenges, and there is no guarantee of success.
Editor: Thank you, dr. Dupont. Your insights into this complex political landscape are invaluable. We appreciate your time and expertise.
Dr. Dupont: Thank you for having me. It’s always a pleasure to discuss these important topics.
