Bayrou’s appointment comes after a contentious standoff in the French Parliament.
François Bayrou appointed French Prime Minister after no-confidence vote. French President Emmanuel Macron has appointed François Bayrou as the new Prime Minister of France following the ousting of his predecessor, Michel Barnier, after a no-confidence vote. Bayrou, the 73-year-old leader of the centrist MoDem party, replaces Barnier after just three months in office, amid rising political tension over the government’s austerity budget.
Bayrou’s appointment comes after a contentious standoff in the French Parliament, where the proposed austerity measures sparked widespread disputes. The French presidency confirmed the decision, stating that Bayrou has been tasked with forming a new government and leading the country through its ongoing political challenges.
The new Prime Minister faces immediate challenges, including forming a stable cabinet and finalizing the 2025 budget aimed at stabilizing France’s economy while avoiding further political unrest. His appointment has already drawn criticism from opposition parties, including the hard-left France Unbowed (LFI), which has threatened to table another motion of censure unless significant changes are made to economic policies.
Jean-Luc Mélenchon, leader of France Unbowed, accused Macron of undermining democracy by not choosing a prime minister from the opposition, while Marine Le Pen from the far-right National Rally party warned that Bayrou’s leadership could worsen the political deadlock.
Despite the criticism, Macron and Bayrou held a two-hour meeting on Friday, discussing the need for consensus in the country’s deeply divided political environment. Public frustration with the ongoing gridlock continues to grow, with recent polls showing that the majority of French citizens favor efforts to resolve the deadlock cooperatively.
Bayrou now faces the delicate task of navigating France’s fractured political landscape, balancing necessary economic reforms with the survival of his government amidst mounting opposition pressure.
