Francois Bayrou Named as new French prime Minister by President Emmanuel Macron

François Bayrou has been appointed as the new Prime Minister of France by President Emmanuel Macron, following the removal of Michel Barnier through a parliamentary vote of no confidence.

Bayrou, a centrist lawmaker and long-time ally of Macron, was announced as Prime Minister on Friday as the president seeks to stabilize his administration amid a growing political crisis.

Barnier’s Removal

Michel Barnier was removed from parliament after trying to force through a controversial 2025 budget by invoking the controversial Article 49.3 of the French constitution which allows the prime minister, “after deliberation by the Council of Ministers,” to force a bill through the National Assembly with no vote.

This move backfired as 331 Members of Parliament (MPs) in the 577-member house voted in favor of a no-confidence motion against Barnier, well exceeding the 288 votes required. Barnier’s removal marks the first time a French Prime Minister has been unseated by a no-confidence vote since 1962.

In the days that followed, speculation swirled about who would succeed Barnier, culminating in Friday’s announcement of François Bayrou as the new Prime Minister.

Francois Bayrou’s Political Career

Francois Bayrou got into politics at a young age and was elected to the General Council of the Pyrénées-Atlantiques department in 1982 in the canton of Pau-Sud, then the French National Assembly four years later.

In 1993, Bayrou was appointed Minister of Education in Prime Minister Édouard Balladur’s government. During his tenure, he proposed a controversial reform allowing local authorities to subsidize private schools, sparking massive protests. The Constitutional Council ultimately overturned the proposal.

In 2002, Bayrou ran as a candidate for the Union for French Democracy (UDF) in the presidential Election. He finished fourth in the first round with 6.8% of the vote. In 2007, he ran again this time as an independent centrist candidate, and finished third in the election in the first round with 18.57% of the votes.

By 2012, Bayrou formed the Democratic Movement (MoDem) and ran as its presidential candidate placing fifth in the first round after garnering 9.13% of the vote.

In 2017, Bayrou decided not to contest the presidency, instead supporting Emmanuel Macron. This alliance helped Macron solidify his centrist platform. In return, Macron adopted Bayrou’s proposed clean governance reforms.

Bayrou briefly served as Minister of Justice in Macron’s first cabinet before stepping down shortly after amid allegations concerning MoDem’s finances.

Since 2014, Bayrou has served as Mayor of Pau and has remained a key ally to Macron, supporting the president’s economic reforms and European integration initiatives.  His party, MoDem, remains an important partner to Macron’s La République En Marche central coalition in the National Assembly, playing a critical role in forming legislative majorities.

He has also supported Macron’s major initiatives, including economic reforms and European integration efforts.

Looking Ahead

As Prime Minister, Bayrou faces the immediate challenge of uniting a fragmented legislature and rebuilding trust after Barnier’s controversial departure.

His top priority will be securing consensus on the 2025 budget, particularly among right-wing lawmakers led by Jean-Marie Le Pen, whose support will be crucial. Failing to do this, France risks entering into 2025 with the 2024 budget to work with.

Bayrou’s ability to foster dialogue and compromise will be key to stabilizing Macron’s administration and advancing the president’s policy agenda.

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