François Bayrou, the newly appointed Prime Minister of France, is moving swiftly to form his government amid unprecedented political and budgetary challenges. His first significant act as Premier was to invite the leaders of various political parties to Matignon on Thursday at 14:00, excluding the extreme right Rassemblement National (RN) and La France Insoumise (LFI). This invitation aims to gather input from party heads before presenting his government composition to President Emmanuel Macron.
On December 18, Bayrou emphasized the need to hear from all responsible parties during his consultations, which are urgent due to the government's recent censure of Michel Barnier. "Before proposing to the President of the Republic the composition of the government, I want to meet you to enlighten and hear you on the orientations we must follow," Bayrou stated, aiming to build consensus around his government plans.
The backdrop of these political discussions is quite dire; France stands on the brink of Christmas without an approved budget for the first time in fifty years, creating significant uncertainty. Bayrou expressed concerns about the political stalemate, noting the "unprecedented and grave" situation resulting from the censure vote on December 5. He highlighted not only the fiscal urgency but the broader impact on public services and the economy, indicating the necessity for quick legislative actions.
Among those invited to the Matignon meeting are several key political figures, including Yaël Braun-Pivet, President of the National Assembly, and Gérard Larcher, Senate President. This gathering aims to establish potential ideological alignments, with Bayrou noting, "the period we have entered is grave, and we need to act together to address it".
While some parties have opted not to attend, mainly due to political disagreements, Bayrou's strategy appears to be focusing on assembling a broad coalition. He is reportedly considering members from both the left and right, aiming for accountability and support from the majority of the Parliament.
The recent legislative developments have added urgency to these discussions. The French Parliament has just adopted a "special law" allowing for the collection of taxes and borrowing on behalf of the state, circumventing the lack of budget. This law is meant to temporarily stabilize the fiscal operations of the state and the Social Security system as France moves forward toward 2025, when a full budget is expected to be enacted.
Challenging voices have emerged from various factions, particularly the RN, which has threatened censure against Bayrou if he does not heed their calls for fiscal conservatism and efficiency. "If François Bayrou ignores the mistakes made by Michel Barnier, he will face the same consequences — sooner or later, he will be censured," warned Sébastien Chenu, vice-president of RN. Similarly, Bruno Retailleau of the LR echoed dissatisfaction with the direction of the proposed government, stating the conditions are not right for his party's entry.
Despite these threats, Bayrou's circle has expressed optimism about his ability to form the government. Marc Fesneau, President of the MoDem group, noted, "The exchanges are very advanced," indicating momentum toward finalizing the ministerial team. He emphasized the importance of having the team established before Christmas to facilitate smooth operations when the government reconvenes post-holidays.
Discussions reveal varied expectations from different political factions about their potential participation. LR representatives have insisted they will only engage if they perceive Bayrou's government as decisive and aligned with their policies. Meanwhile, leftist leaders, like Fabien Roussel of the Communist Party, demand clear commitments to social justice and financial equity, asserting they will not obstruct Bayrou's budget but will not hesitate to censor if necessary.
Adding to the complexity, political experts are analyzing Bayrou's ability to fulfill the dual roles of Prime Minister and mayor of Pau. Critics, including former President François Hollande, have warned against this combination of responsibilities. Nonetheless, Bayrou believes maintaining his local position will provide him with broader insights to govern nationally effectively.
Bayrou's consultations will continue leading up to Thursday’s meeting, where he hopes to delineate his government’s roadmap effectively. The stakes are high; just moments ago, he addressed the press, reflecting, "We have to find out how to navigate this situation with all parties involved, as the people are counting on us not to fail them." Remaining vigilant about inter-party relations and fiscal responsibility, Bayrou's leadership will be closely monitored as he steps forward to steer France through tumultuous waters.
