François Bayrou has been appointed as France’s new Prime Minister by President Emmanuel Macron, following the censure of Michel Barnier’s government. Bayrou, a close ally of Macron and leader of the Modem party, aims to unify diverse political factions amid criticism from opposition parties. Barnier expressed gratitude to his team during his farewell, acknowledging the political transition while extending his best wishes to Bayrou for the challenges ahead in serving the nation.
François Bayrou Appointed as New Prime Minister
In a much-anticipated announcement, President Emmanuel Macron appointed François Bayrou as Prime Minister on Wednesday, December 11, 2024, around 1 PM. This decision came just nine days after the National Assembly voted to censure Michel Barnier’s government. The move followed the presentation of the 2025 Budget and the application of Article 49.3, marking the second censure motion in French political history since 1962 under Georges Pompidou.
Leading up to the appointment, numerous names circulated, including Bernard Cazeneuve, a prominent figure from the Socialist Party, and Roland Lescure, former Minister of Industry. Ultimately, the long-time ally of Macron, François Bayrou, who heads the Modem party, was chosen. Early that morning, Bayrou met with the President at the Élysée for nearly an hour and 45 minutes, with the announcement of his appointment coinciding with a ceremony for the presentation of the Legion of Honor.
Michel Barnier Bids Farewell
As Michel Barnier prepares to hand over the reins to François Bayrou in a ceremony scheduled for later today at around 5 PM, he communicated a heartfelt farewell to his ministers via text message. Le Parisien reported that Barnier expressed his gratitude to his team in what he described as a “personal message,” indicating that the transition would happen “today.” He reflected on their shared journey, stating, “To each and every one of you, I want to express my thanks and my friendship at this very particular moment when our ‘French team’ is about to pass the baton.”
At 73, Barnier leaves Matignon with a sense of goodwill, acknowledging the collective efforts made during his tenure. He expressed his desire to continue their work but recognized that political circumstances dictated otherwise. His message concluded with warm wishes for the future: “Of course, I will be happy to see you again. Take care of yourselves. Best wishes and thank you.”
Now, François Bayrou faces the challenge of unifying various political factions. Some parties, such as La France Insoumise, criticize his appointment as a disregard for democratic processes, hinting at the potential for another censure motion. Following his appointment, Bayrou acknowledged the daunting task ahead, stating, “I think everyone realizes the difficulty of the task; everyone thinks there is a way to find that brings people together rather than divides them.” He emphasized the importance of reconciliation in the current political landscape.
In the meantime, Barnier extended his congratulations to Bayrou, expressing confidence in his abilities and commitment to serving the French people. He conveyed his best wishes for the new Prime Minister’s leadership during these challenging times for France and Europe.