French President Emmanuel Macron has named key centrist ally François Bayrou as the country’s new prime minister. The veteran centrist becomes France’s third prime minister of 2024, tasked with steering the country out of its second major political crisis in six months. Bayrou, who is known for his long-standing political career and centrist approach, will prioritize passing a special law to roll over the 2024 budget, with even bigger battles looming for the 2025 budget legislation.
The move to appoint Bayrou follows the ousting of former Prime Minister Michel Barnier, whose government collapsed after facing significant parliamentary opposition over budget disputes. According to Reuters, Macron focused on finding a candidate who could bridge divides, with negotiations preceding Bayrou’s appointment stretching over several days.
Macron's spokesperson Maud Bregeon confirmed the need for stability, stating, "At the moment, there is no broader political alliance than the current one between his centrist allies and conservatives from The Republicans party, which does not have majority at parliament.” This came after Barnier’s government was brought down following historic no-confidence votes stemming from budgetary contentions.
Bayrou is not new to French politics; he has been active since the 1980s, holding several key roles including education minister and mayor of Pau. Notably, he founded the Mouvement Démocratique (MoDem) party, which holds significant influence among centrist factions within parliament. Seen as one of Macron’s closest allies, Bayrou will need to navigate through the fragmented assembly where every vote counts.
He acknowledged the weighty tasks before him, stating, "The deficit and the debt, that's an issue which raises moral questions." Bayrou is aware of the contentious political environment and understands the challenges of garnering bipartisan support for effective governance. He noted, "I am sure there are many more hurdles I will have to overcome," as he prepares to take on this formidable challenge.
The fiscal issues confronting his administration are substantial; France's budget deficit stands alarmingly at 6.1 percent, significantly higher than the predicted 4.4 percent. An emergency budget plan is already slated for discussions, expected to convene for parliamentary debate before the end of the week.
Different political factions have expressed their views on Bayrou's nomination. On one side, the far-right Rassemblement National (RN) has indicated their willingness to support Bayrou, at least for now. Far-right MP Philippe Ballard remarked, "We will give him a chance, as we did with Michel Barnier,” creating hopes for potential collaboration.
Conversely, the Socialist Party has explicitly announced it will not join Bayrou's government. Party chief Boris Vallaud described the choice as risky and reflective of Macron's decision to persist with previous strategies. They view Bayrou's appointment, as Manuel Bompard stated, as “yet another insult to democracy,” condemning how political alignment is influencing governance.
European allies have welcomed Bayrou’s appointment. Ursula von der Leyen, the chairwoman of the EU Commission, published congratulatory remarks, stating Bayrou has “always had Europe at heart.” She expressed optimism about cooperation moving forward to strengthen Europe amid the current instability.
With Bayrou stepping up as prime minister, he confirmed he acknowledges the long road ahead for his new government, asserting, "Everybody knows the road will be long." He must craft financial policies suitable for the current state of the nation’s economy, keeping the diverse needs of all stakeholders involved.
Given Bayrou's extensive experience, his leadership style could bring much-needed collaboration between the assorted factions within the assembly. Still, the challenges are evident; with pressures from both left-leaning and right-leaning parties, forming stable alliances will be integral to his success.
Looking ahead, the next few weeks seem pivotal for Bayrou, as his government will be tested with the impending budget governance discussions. Echoing his responsibilities, he exclaimed, "No one knows the difficulty of the situation more than I do," and he has pledged to defend the interests of all French citizens—especially those who feel neglected by the political elite.
François Bayrou’s appointment is both hopeful and challenging, embodying the centrist philosophy at the heart of Macron's agenda. Yet, the road through political fragmentation and economic obstacles remains fraught with peril.