François Bayrou, 73, became France’s new prime minister on Friday after Michel Barnier’s government fell to a no-confidence vote. President Emmanuel Macron announced Bayrou’s appointment following a lengthy meeting at the Elysée Palace earlier in the day. Bayrou, leader of the Democratic Movement party (MoDem), is a centrist and a long-time ally of Macron.
Bayrou has gained some support even from far-right National Rally (RN) MPs, although he lacks broad approval from all parties. “If François Bayrou is confirmed, we’ll give him a chance, as we did with Michel Barnier,” said RN MP Philippe Ballard. However, France Unbowed (LFI), a hard-left party, announced plans to file a no-confidence motion against Bayrou.
Challenges Ahead for the New Cabinet
The new cabinet, expected to be revealed in the coming days, faces a fractured parliament divided into three blocs without a majority. Bayrou’s immediate challenge is to form a stable government capable of passing critical legislation. The 2025 budget plan will test the new administration’s ability to navigate the deeply divided lower house.
Former Prime Minister Michel Barnier was removed after bypassing parliament to force adoption of next year’s social security budget plan. Bayrou will need to avoid similar missteps to ensure his government’s survival. Macron had promised party leaders a 48-hour timeline to announce a replacement but exceeded it, cutting short a visit to Poland to finalize the decision.
Bayrou’s appointment reflects Macron’s strategic choice for a trusted ally to stabilize the government. The new prime minister must now prove he can unite a divided parliament and implement Macron’s policies effectively. The political landscape remains volatile, with no clear path to consensus.