French President Emmanuel Macron has appointed François Bayrou, a centrist leader and head of the MoDem party, as the country’s new Prime Minister.
The announcement, made on Friday, follows the historic no-confidence vote that ousted former Prime Minister Michel Barnier’s government after a three-month tenure.
Bayrou, 73, assumes office at a challenging time, tasked with uniting a divided parliament to pass a 2025 budget and stabilize the government. The appointment comes after intense deliberations with Macron, described as “tense” by French media.
Bayrou’s selection has sparked criticism from both ends of the political spectrum. The far-left France Unbowed (LFI) party and the Greens have threatened to table another motion of censure, while the far-right National Rally (RN) has expressed skepticism about his ability to foster political stability.
Macron’s political challenges stem from the fragmented results of the summer snap elections, which left no party or alliance with a majority in the National Assembly. Both LFI leader Jean-Luc Mélenchon and RN leader Marine Le Pen played significant roles in Barnier’s ousting but were excluded from the recent consultations leading to Bayrou’s appointment.
Bayrou faces the immediate task of forming a cabinet that can survive a no-confidence vote and address pressing economic challenges. His leadership will focus on engaging with political factions, excluding the far-right and hard-left, to find pathways for governance.
Public opinion reflects growing frustration with the ongoing political deadlock. A recent poll showed that two-thirds of respondents want political leaders to prioritize collaboration and avoid further governmental instability.
