France’s President Emmanuel Macron has appointed his centrist ally, François Bayrou, as the new prime minister, aiming to restore stability amidst a growing political crisis that has severely undermined his authority.
This decision follows the resignation of Macron’s previous prime minister, Michel Barnier, who was ousted after losing a vote of no confidence. Bayrou, a seasoned political figure, is known for his leadership of the centrist Democratic Movement (MoDem) party and his tenure as the mayor of Pau. He previously ran for president three times before backing Macron in 2017.
Bayrou’s appointment comes at a critical time as he now faces the difficult task of forming a government that can unite a sharply divided parliament. Macron’s centrist faction is caught between opposition from both the left-wing and far-right parties, creating a challenging environment for pushing forward key policies.
Bayrou has acknowledged the difficulties ahead, emphasizing the importance of finding a common ground that brings together various political factions, rather than deepening existing divisions.
Macron Appoints François Bayrou as Prime Minister Amid Political Crisis and Budget Challenges
The collapse of Barnier’s government after only three months has intensified the pressure on Bayrou. Barnier’s government failed to pass a controversial budget for 2025, which included €60 billion in tax hikes. His attempt to push the budget through without a parliamentary vote led to his downfall, as opposition parties on both the left and right united against him.
Bayrou must now confront similar challenges, with a looming deadline of December 21 to pass a budget. If this deadline is missed, the government could still introduce a “fiscal continuity law” to ensure essential services remain operational and avoid a shutdown.
Bayrou’s budget proposal faces intense scrutiny from the opposition, particularly from the far-right National Rally (RN) party. RN leaders, including Jordan Bardella and Marine Le Pen, have warned that they expect Bayrou to engage with the opposition to create a budget that balances fiscal responsibility with political consensus.
Le Pen has specifically urged Bayrou to avoid continuing policies associated with Macronism, which she claims have been rejected by voters. She has emphasized the need for a well-considered and inclusive approach to avoid further political deadlock.
Macron’s political troubles began earlier this year when he called for snap parliamentary elections, resulting in a fragmented and divided parliament. This has left Macron’s centrist lawmakers in a weakened position, unable to secure a majority in the face of powerful opposition blocs.
Despite calls for his resignation, Macron has refused to step down, instead urging the parliament to fulfill its duties and serve the French people. As Bayrou takes on the role of prime minister, his ability to deliver on key issues will be crucial to the future of Macron’s presidency and France’s political stability.
