France’s new Prime Minister, François Bayrou, rushed on Friday to appoint a government by Christmas to lead the country out of the political crisis, but without any sign of an end to months of tensions that President Emmanuel Macron has set in motion. have stirred.
The country was plunged into new chaos earlier this month after the far right and left joined forces to unseat Bayrou’s predecessor Michel Barnier, making the shortest stint as prime minister in France’s Fifth Republic, which began in 1958.
The most immediate priority for the centrist Bayrou – who has long coveted the job of prime minister – will be to avoid the same fate as Barnier, with many commentators already predicting that his premiership will be short-lived.
While Bayrou was appointed on December 13, he still has to present his cabinet choices to Macron a week later, with the composition of the government set to be crucial in steering France through the political storm.
Bayrou told television channel France 2 that he hoped his new government would be presented “over the weekend” and “at least before Christmas.”
The prime minister has made it clear that he wants a major cabinet reshuffle that would include prominent figures from the left, right and center but exclude the far left and far right.
He told France 2 that he wanted hardline right-wing Interior Minister Bruno Retailleau to remain in his post, saying that “he had found indications that responded to that part of public opinion that demanded it.”
The fate of other top posts is more uncertain, but unconfirmed reports say former Interior Minister Gerald Darmanin could be in line for the Foreign Ministry, while ex-Prime Minister Elisabeth Borne is a defense candidate.
– ‘Last stop before the cliff’ –
While saying that “a path exists,” Bayrou warned of the danger that would arise if his government were to fall. He is Macron’s fourth prime minister of 2024 alone and sixth since coming to power in 2017.
“If this attempt fails, this will be the last stop before the cliff,” Bayrou said.
Barnier was toppled for failing to win support for a budget that would prop up France’s shaky finances with spending cuts and tax increases to reduce the budget deficit.
The ex-prime minister used a constitutional mechanism to pass the budget without parliamentary approval, forcing a vote of no confidence.
“I hope we can have it around mid-February. I’m not sure we’ll get there,” Bayrou admitted.
France has been at an impasse since Macron gambled on early elections earlier this year in the hope of strengthening his authority, a move that still has even the president’s supporters scratching their heads.
Voters returned to a parliament divided between three rival blocs, with his centrist movement roughly equal in size to the broad left alliance and the far right.
– ‘Gotta wake up’ –
Both camps have urged the government to reverse some of Macron’s key reforms, including raising the state pension age from 62 to 64.
In an unexpected move, Bayrou said he was open to a re-examination of the retirement age. He said he “believes” there could be an alternative to a retirement age of 64.
“But we will also have to ask ourselves how to finance this,” he added, warning that he would not suspend the 2023 reform.
Pressed on whether he would invoke Article 49.3 – the mechanism used to push through the social security budget and pension reform without a vote – Bayrou vowed not to use it unless there was a “total budget deadlock.” to arise.
Far-left troublemaker Jean-Luc Melenchon of the France Unbowed party (LFI) has promised to table a vote of no confidence when Bayrou delivers a policy speech to parliament on January 14.
“We have not found any reason not to support a motion of no confidence. The Prime Minister and the people around him really need to wake up,” said Olivier Faure, leader of the Socialist Party.
Bayrou has had a tumultuous first week as prime minister, not least after facing a barrage of criticism for attending a town hall meeting in the Pyrenees town of Pau, of which he remains mayor, while Mayotte in the French Indian Ocean struggled with its aftermath. from Cyclone Chido.
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