PARIS, France – President Emmanuel Macron has appointed centrist leader François Bayrou as the country’s new prime minister.
Bayrou, 73, leader of the MoDem party and long-time mayor of Pau, takes on the role amid deep political deadlock and mounting concerns about governance.
Bayrou’s appointment follows weeks of uncertainty after his predecessor, Michel Barnier, was ousted just nine days ago in a parliamentary no-confidence vote.
Barnier, a former EU Brexit negotiator, lasted only three months in office—underscoring the fragility of Macron’s minority government.
Macron, now halfway through his second term, has faced increasing political pressure since calling snap parliamentary elections last summer, a gamble that backfired and fractured the National Assembly into three dominant blocs: the far-left, the center, and Marine Le Pen’s far-right National Rally.
Recent polling reflects public unease, with 61% of French voters expressing concern about the country’s direction, according to a survey by BFMTV.
Bayrou’s appointment did not come easily. Reports in Le Monde suggest Macron initially favored another ally, Roland Lescure, but pivoted when Bayrou threatened to withdraw MoDem’s support—an act that would have further destabilized Macron’s centrist coalition.
The final decision followed hours of tense talks at the Élysée Palace.
While Bayrou’s supporters highlight his reputation as a consensus-builder, opposition leaders wasted no time in criticizing the appointment.
“This whole process has become a bad movie,” quipped Carole Dega, a Socialist regional leader.
Far-left France Unbowed (LFI) figure Manuel Bompard dismissed the development as a “pathetic spectacle.”
Bayrou’s challenge lies in constructing a government capable of surviving France’s turbulent National Assembly.
His centrist appeal may help build bridges: he maintains functional relations with both the moderate left and the right.
However, far-left and far-right factions are unlikely to ease their resistance.
LFI MPs have already vowed to propose another no-confidence vote, signaling continued parliamentary unrest.
France’s immediate challenge lies in approving a workable budget.
The outgoing government’s interim bill allows 2024’s budget provisions to carry over, but Bayrou must secure approval for a 2025 replacement—a task that led to Barnier’s downfall.
Barnier’s austerity plans, including €60 billion in tax hikes and spending cuts, were soundly rejected after the far-right National Rally and left-wing MPs united against them.
Meanwhile, Macron’s overtures to the center-left—the Socialists, Greens, and Communists—remain uncertain.
While these parties have participated in coalition talks, leaders like Greens head Marine Tondelier insist a leftist prime minister is essential for their cooperation.
“Mr. Bayrou is neither left nor Green,” Tondelier remarked pointedly, casting doubt on the viability of a coalition under his leadership.
Relations between moderate and radical factions on the left continue to sour. LFI leader Jean-Luc Mélenchon has urged allies to reject any coalition with Macron.
Socialist leader Olivier Faure, however, dismissed Mélenchon’s influence, arguing, “The more he shouts, the less he’s heard.”
On the right, National Rally MPs have expressed conditional openness to Bayrou’s government, provided it prioritizes immigration controls and solutions to France’s cost-of-living crisis.
Sébastien Chenu of National Rally emphasized, “It’s not about who Macron picks—it’s about the political line.”
President Macron’s leadership faces a defining moment. After political missteps and growing resistance, Bayrou’s success—or failure—could shape the remainder of Macron’s presidency, which runs until 2027.
For now, Bayrou will move into the Hôtel Matignon, where the red carpet has already been rolled out.
The centrist veteran must not only navigate political divides but also regain public confidence in France’s increasingly fragile democracy.
Bayrou, 73, leader of the MoDem party and long-time mayor of Pau, takes on the role amid deep political deadlock and mounting concerns about governance.
Bayrou’s appointment follows weeks of uncertainty after his predecessor, Michel Barnier, was ousted just nine days ago in a parliamentary no-confidence vote.
Barnier, a former EU Brexit negotiator, lasted only three months in office—underscoring the fragility of Macron’s minority government.
Macron, now halfway through his second term, has faced increasing political pressure since calling snap parliamentary elections last summer, a gamble that backfired and fractured the National Assembly into three dominant blocs: the far-left, the center, and Marine Le Pen’s far-right National Rally.
Recent polling reflects public unease, with 61% of French voters expressing concern about the country’s direction, according to a survey by BFMTV.
Bayrou’s appointment did not come easily. Reports in Le Monde suggest Macron initially favored another ally, Roland Lescure, but pivoted when Bayrou threatened to withdraw MoDem’s support—an act that would have further destabilized Macron’s centrist coalition.
The final decision followed hours of tense talks at the Élysée Palace.
While Bayrou’s supporters highlight his reputation as a consensus-builder, opposition leaders wasted no time in criticizing the appointment.
“This whole process has become a bad movie,” quipped Carole Dega, a Socialist regional leader.
Far-left France Unbowed (LFI) figure Manuel Bompard dismissed the development as a “pathetic spectacle.”
Bayrou’s challenge lies in constructing a government capable of surviving France’s turbulent National Assembly.
His centrist appeal may help build bridges: he maintains functional relations with both the moderate left and the right.
However, far-left and far-right factions are unlikely to ease their resistance.
LFI MPs have already vowed to propose another no-confidence vote, signaling continued parliamentary unrest.
France’s immediate challenge lies in approving a workable budget.
The outgoing government’s interim bill allows 2024’s budget provisions to carry over, but Bayrou must secure approval for a 2025 replacement—a task that led to Barnier’s downfall.
Barnier’s austerity plans, including €60 billion in tax hikes and spending cuts, were soundly rejected after the far-right National Rally and left-wing MPs united against them.
Meanwhile, Macron’s overtures to the center-left—the Socialists, Greens, and Communists—remain uncertain.
While these parties have participated in coalition talks, leaders like Greens head Marine Tondelier insist a leftist prime minister is essential for their cooperation.
“Mr. Bayrou is neither left nor Green,” Tondelier remarked pointedly, casting doubt on the viability of a coalition under his leadership.
Relations between moderate and radical factions on the left continue to sour. LFI leader Jean-Luc Mélenchon has urged allies to reject any coalition with Macron.
Socialist leader Olivier Faure, however, dismissed Mélenchon’s influence, arguing, “The more he shouts, the less he’s heard.”
On the right, National Rally MPs have expressed conditional openness to Bayrou’s government, provided it prioritizes immigration controls and solutions to France’s cost-of-living crisis.
Sébastien Chenu of National Rally emphasized, “It’s not about who Macron picks—it’s about the political line.”
President Macron’s leadership faces a defining moment. After political missteps and growing resistance, Bayrou’s success—or failure—could shape the remainder of Macron’s presidency, which runs until 2027.
For now, Bayrou will move into the Hôtel Matignon, where the red carpet has already been rolled out.
The centrist veteran must not only navigate political divides but also regain public confidence in France’s increasingly fragile democracy.
