President Macron appoints Francois Bayrou as France's new PM

Paris: French President Emmanuel Macron has officially nominated Francois Bayrou as the new Prime Minister of France, the Elysee Palace confirmed on Friday. Bayrou, a centrist ally of Macron, has been tasked with forming a new government and preparing the 2025 national budget, which will be presented to the National Assembly for approval.

Bayrou, born in 1952, founded the centrist party Democratic Movement (MoDem) in 2007 and has previously run for president in 2002, 2007, and 2012. He succeeds Michel Barnier, who was ousted from office following a no-confidence vote in the French National Assembly on December 4.

In a statement following the announcement, Jordan Bardella, leader of the far-right National Rally (RN), remarked that his party would not immediately oppose Bayrou’s nomination. However, Bardella emphasized that Bayrou should recognize his lack of democratic legitimacy, as his party does not hold a majority in the National Assembly. He stressed the need for Bayrou to engage in dialogue with all political forces represented in parliament.

Meanwhile, the hard-left party La France Insoumise (LFI) has vowed to launch a no-confidence motion against Bayrou. LFI has long argued that the position of Prime Minister should be given to a member of the left-wing alliance, which won the most seats in this year’s snap legislative elections.

Addressing the media on Friday, Bayrou highlighted the importance of reconciliation and unity, acknowledging the challenges ahead. He emphasized that it was essential to find a path that brings people together rather than further divides them.

Former Prime Minister Michel Barnier offered his congratulations to Bayrou in a post on X (formerly Twitter), stating: “In these serious times for France and Europe, I send all my personal and friendly wishes for his action as the head of government.”

The transfer of power ceremony is scheduled for 5 p.m. local time today.

Barnier’s resignation came after the French National Assembly voted in favor of a no-confidence motion on December 4, leading to the collapse of his government. Barnier’s government became the first to fall due to a no-confidence vote since 1962.

With IANS inputs