Macron Appoints François Bayrou as New Prime Minister

In a significant move, French President Emmanuel Macron appointed François Bayrou as the new Prime Minister of France on Friday. Bayrou’s appointment comes after the resignation of former Prime Minister Michel Barnier, who stepped down following a no-confidence vote last week. This marks a pivotal moment in France's political landscape, as Bayrou becomes the fourth prime minister within the same year, underscoring the growing political crisis and increasing opposition to Macron’s second-term agenda.

Bayrou, a prominent figure in French politics, is the leader of MoDem (Mouvement Démocrate), a centrist party, and serves as the mayor of the southwestern city of Pau. His political journey began in the Pyrenees-Atlantiques, where he was elected as a general councilor before becoming a deputy. In 2014 and 2020, he was re-elected as the mayor of Pau, also holding the role of president of the Pau Pyrenees agglomeration community during the same years.

Known for his focus on fiscal responsibility, Bayrou first rose to national prominence as France’s Minister of Education in 1993, a position he held for over four years. His political platform in the 2007 presidential race focused on tackling national debt, a theme that resonated with nearly 19% of voters at the time. This campaign further established his reputation for economic conservatism.

Although Bayrou has long been considered a loyal ally to Macron, he has not shied away from expressing his differences with the president on several occasions. His ability to navigate political disagreements with Macron has earned him the nickname "perpetual troublemaker" among some close associates of the president, despite their strong professional ties.

In addition to his role as Education Minister, Bayrou also served as France’s Minister of Justice and later led the High Commissioner for Planning from 2020 onward. His political experience and loyalty to Macron, combined with his reputation for occasionally challenging the president’s policies, place him in a unique position to guide France through its current political turmoil.