Macron Appoints Francois Bayrou as Prime Minister

President Emmanuel Macron appointed centrist leader François Bayrou as France’s new prime minister on Friday, entrusting him with the challenging task of navigating the country out of its ongoing political turmoil. Bayrou, 73, who leads the MoDem party allied with Macron’s La République En Marche, was selected after Michel Barnier’s government was ousted by a historic no-confidence vote following a dispute over an austerity budget.

The French presidency announced Bayrou’s appointment, specifying that he had been tasked with forming a new government, though further details were not disclosed. Bayrou becomes the sixth prime minister of Macron’s term, following the brief tenure of Barnier, who served only three months. He is also the fourth prime minister named in 2024.

Bayrou now faces immediate pressure to assemble a cabinet capable of surviving a no-confidence vote in a deeply divided National Assembly. Additionally, he must work on drafting the 2025 national budget to help stabilize France’s economy. His appointment follows intense discussions with Macron, which were reportedly “tense,” according to BFMTV.

A handover ceremony for Barnier was scheduled for later that day, with a red carpet rolled out in front of the Matignon Palace, the seat of the French government. The composition of the new cabinet is expected to be revealed in the coming days.

Macron’s political challenges have been compounded by the complex landscape created by the summer’s snap elections, in which no single party holds a majority in parliament. The left-wing New Popular Front (NFP) emerged as the largest bloc, and its leaders had pressed for Macron to appoint a prime minister from their ranks. Marine Le Pen, the far-right leader, has not been involved in the latest talks, despite her significant influence on the political scene.

Bayrou’s candidacy has sparked criticism from both the left, which opposes Macron’s policies, and the right, where he faces opposition from former president Nicolas Sarkozy’s allies. Other potential candidates for the role had included former Socialist prime minister Bernard Cazeneuve, Macron loyalist Defence Minister Sébastien Lecornu, and former foreign minister Jean-Yves Le Drian, who turned down the position, citing age concerns.

Public opinion is growing weary of the political deadlock. An Elabe poll showed that two-thirds of French citizens are eager for politicians to reach a deal and end the ongoing government crisis. Macron’s prime ministers have faced increasingly short terms, and Bayrou’s tenure may be no exception. Recent polling also shows far-right leader Le Pen ahead in potential 2027 presidential election matchups, with her upcoming embezzlement trial in March 2025 adding further uncertainty to the political landscape.