French President Emmanuel Macron has appointed Francois Bayrou as the new Prime Minister of France, marking his fourth prime minister appointment this year. The move comes after Michel Barnier was ousted in a no-confidence vote, leaving France in political stalemate. Bayrou will face the challenge of forming a government that can survive without being brought down like his predecessor.
French politics has been experiencing a period of turmoil since President Emmanuel Macron called snap parliamentary elections during the summer. The outcome left France in political stalemate, with three large political blocs made up of the left, centre, and far right.
On [date], French MPs ousted Michel Barnier as prime minister in a no-confidence vote, marking nine days since his departure. President Macron had stated that a replacement would be appointed by the end of Thursday, but this deadline was missed.
President Emmanuel Macron has chosen Francois Bayrou, leader of the centrist MoDem party, to become the new prime minister. This decision comes after Macron met with Bayrou at the Elysé Palace for about an hour and three-quarters in a tense encounter described by French media.
The challenge for Bayrou will be forming a government that can survive without being brought down like his predecessor, Michel Barnier. Macron is expected to either seek to bring parties from the centre left into the government or agree a pact so they do not oust the next prime minister as well.
Marine Le Pen has called for her party\u2019s policies on the cost of living to be taken into account by the incoming government, while Marine Tondelier, leader of the Greens, expressed skepticism about Bayrou\u2019s suitability for the role. An opinion poll for BFMTV suggested that 61% of French voters are worried by the political situation.
This is Macron\u2019s fourth prime minister appointment this year and his second term in office will end in 2027. He has vowed to remain in office until then, despite Barnier\u2019s downfall last week.
The previous government led by Prime Minister Michel Barnier collapsed after he was voted out in a no-confidence vote. This was largely due to his plans for €60bn (£50bn) in tax rises and spending cuts, which were rejected by Marine Le Pen\u2019s National Rally and left-wing MPs.
President Macron\u2019s challenge is to find a prime minister who can stay in office for longer than Michel Barnier. He has vowed to remain in office until his second term ends in 2027.
Several potential candidates have been mentioned as possible replacements for Michel Barnier, including:
Defence Minister Sebastien Lecornu
Centre-left ex-prime minister Bernard Cazeneuve
Former foreign minister Jean-Yves Le Drian (who turned down the job due to his age)
On Friday, President Macron met centrist leader François Bayrou ahead of his imminent decision on the next French PM. It was reported that Bayrou was being considered for the role, but there was no confirmation at the time.
The political situation in France has been described as \u201cpathetic\u201d by far-left France Unbowed leader Manuel Bompard. An opinion poll for BFMTV on Thursday suggested 61% of French voters were worried by the political situation.
Macron met Bayrou, 73, at the Elysé Palace for about an hour and three-quarters in an encounter described as tense by French media. It is thought that Macron will either seek to bring parties from the centre left into the government or agree a pact so they do not oust the next prime minister as well.
The appointment of François Bayrou as new Prime Minister of France has been confirmed, marking a significant development in the country\u2019s ongoing political turmoil.
