President Emmanuel Macron’s decision to appoint François Bayrou as France’s next prime minister appears to be yet another temporary fix in a political crisis that shows no signs of abating. This move raises questions about whether it represents a genuine attempt to stabilize the government or simply another chapter in an ongoing saga of political missteps.
Bayrou, a 73-year-old centrist and leader of the MoDem party, faces a daunting challenge as he steps into this turbulent environment. Reports of a “tense” meeting with Macron before the announcement highlight the immense pressure on both men. Described as a “consensus candidate” by Macron’s inner circle, Bayrou must navigate a fractured political landscape while avoiding the fate of his predecessor, Michel Barnier, who was ousted after just three months in office.
The political backdrop remains deeply troubling. The National Assembly is in deadlock, and public confidence in the administration is plummeting. According to a BFMTV poll, 61% of French voters are concerned about the country’s political situation. With Macron already halfway through his second term and on his fourth prime minister this year, the sense of instability is palpable.
Reactions to Bayrou’s appointment have been mixed. While Macron’s allies have predictably praised the move, critics have not held back. Socialist leader Carole Dega dismissed the process as a “bad movie,” while Manuel Bompard of France Unbowed called it a “pathetic spectacle.” These criticisms underscore widespread frustration with the government’s inability to chart a clear path forward.
The manner in which the announcement was handled further underlines the administration’s disarray. Macron cut short a trip to Poland and delayed the appointment by several hours, fueling speculation about internal disagreements. The red carpet rolled out at Hôtel Matignon even before Bayrou’s name was confirmed added an air of theatricality to an otherwise chaotic process.
Bayrou’s primary challenge will be to form a government capable of surviving the intense opposition in the National Assembly. Macron’s efforts to hold round-table discussions with political leaders, excluding only the far-left France Unbowed and far-right National Rally, reflect an attempt to foster cooperation. However, the deep divisions within French politics make such collaboration highly uncertain.
As a centrist, Bayrou has a reputation for maintaining passable relations across the political spectrum. This could serve him well in navigating the complexities of a minority government, but the obstacles remain formidable. The fate of Michel Barnier, who was ousted after proposing unpopular economic reforms, serves as a stark warning. Barnier’s €60 billion package of tax hikes and spending cuts was rejected by a coalition of left-wing and far-right MPs, leaving the next government to grapple with a budget deficit projected at 6.1% of GDP.
The situation underscores broader questions about the stability of Macron’s leadership. Under the political system of France’s Fifth Republic, the president wields significant power to appoint prime ministers. Yet this power appears increasingly ineffective when successive governments cannot maintain control of the legislature.
Bayrou’s appointment feels less like a long-term solution and more like a desperate gamble to preserve the administration’s survival. Whether he can succeed where others have failed remains to be seen, but the challenges ahead suggest that the political turmoil is far from over. For now, the country remains mired in uncertainty, with no clear resolution in sight.
