In an effort to resolve ongoing political turmoil, President Emmanuel Macron has appointed centrist leader François Bayrou as France’s new prime minister.
Bayrou, a 73-year-old mayor from the south-west and leader of the MoDem party, acknowledged the challenges ahead, stating, “I think reconciliation is necessary.”
Macron’s team views Bayrou as a potential consensus candidate, tasked with avoiding the fate of his predecessor, ex-Brexit negotiator Michel Barnier, who was ousted by MPs after just three months. This marks Macron’s fourth prime ministerial appointment this year, as he reaches the midpoint of his second term.
French politics has been in a deadlock since Macron called for snap parliamentary elections over the summer. A recent opinion poll for BFMTV indicated that 61% of French voters are concerned about the political situation.
While many allies praised Bayrou’s appointment, Socialist regional leader Carole Dega criticized the process as a “bad movie,” and Far-left France Unbowed leader Manuel Bompard described it as a “pathetic spectacle.”
The centre-left Socialists expressed willingness to engage with Bayrou but refused to join his government. Socialist leader Olivier Faure stated that since Macron chose someone “from his own camp,” the Socialists would remain in opposition.
Despite the recent political upheaval, President Macron has committed to serving out his term until 2027.
