Macron names centrist Bayrou as French PM in bid to end political instability
3 min read
French President Emmanuel Macron. Reuters file photo
In a move aimed at resolving months of political instability, President Emmanuel Macron has appointed centrist leader François Bayrou as France’s new prime minister. Bayrou, a mayor from southwest France and the leader of the MoDem party, is Macron’s fourth prime minister this year, following the ousting of Michel Barnier, the former Brexit negotiator, just nine days ago. Bayrou’s appointment comes amid deepening political deadlock, triggered by Macron’s call for snap parliamentary elections in the summer, which resulted in a fragmented political landscape.
Macron’s decision to name Bayrou as prime minister follows tense discussions between the two men, lasting nearly two hours before Bayrou’s appointment was finalized at the Elysée Palace. Macron is now tasked with ensuring Bayrou can stabilize the government, a challenge made even more difficult by Barnier’s short tenure. Barnier, who was tasked with steering the government through a period of economic turbulence, was removed from office after just three months when MPs rejected his plans for €60bn in tax hikes and spending cuts, aimed at reducing France’s budget deficit. This swift downfall has raised concerns about Bayrou’s ability to avoid a similar fate.
The French political landscape has remained in gridlock since the summer elections, with three main political blocs emerging: the left, centre, and far-right. According to an opinion poll conducted by BFMTV, 61% of French voters expressed concern about the political situation, with far-left France Unbowed (LFI) leader Manuel Bompard criticizing the political impasse as a “pathetic spectacle.” Despite the growing frustration, Macron remains determined to stay in office until his second term ends in 2027.
Bayrou’s appointment is part of Macron’s broader strategy to restore political stability. The challenge for Bayrou, now installed at Hôtel Matignon, will be forming a government that can avoid being undermined in the National Assembly, unlike Barnier’s government. Macron has already conducted round-table talks with leaders from several political parties, excluding LFI and Marine Le Pen’s National Rally, but Bayrou’s ability to secure support from centre-left parties such as the Socialists, Greens, and Communists will be crucial. These parties have indicated a willingness to join a broad-based government, but they insist on having a leftist prime minister if they are to fully back the new administration.
Greens leader Marine Tondelier has openly rejected Bayrou’s candidacy, expressing doubts about his ability to lead a government that aligns with left-wing policies. Similarly, Socialist leader Carole Delga has voiced frustration over the political deadlock, likening the situation to a “bad movie” that has left the French public exasperated. Meanwhile, National Rally MP Sébastien Chenu has emphasized that his party’s primary concern is the direction of Macron’s government, particularly on issues such as immigration and the cost of living. Chenu stated that if Bayrou’s government takes a strong stance on these issues, the National Rally could find common ground with the new administration.
The rift between the centre-left and the radical left led by Jean-Luc Mélenchon appears to have widened. LFI has rejected the idea of entering into a coalition with Macron, with Mélenchon accusing his former allies of betraying left-wing principles. In contrast, Olivier Faure of the Socialists remarked that Mélenchon’s increasingly strident rhetoric has led to him being less influential in the current political climate.
Despite these challenges, Macron is hoping Bayrou can bring a degree of stability to a government that has been plagued by division and uncertainty. Michel Barnier’s caretaker government has already introduced a bill to continue the provisions of the 2024 budget into the next year, but a new budget for 2025 will need to be approved by the next government once it is formed. This ongoing uncertainty regarding the budget adds another layer of complexity to the political situation.
For now, Bayrou’s primary task will be to navigate this complex political terrain and forge agreements that can keep his government intact, while also addressing key issues such as economic reform and public dissatisfaction with rising costs of living. Macron’s hope is that Bayrou’s centrism can bridge the divides in French politics, but whether this will be enough to end the deadlock and create a lasting, functional government remains uncertain.
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