Macron Names Veteran Centrist Bayrou as Fourth French PM of 2024

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Facts

  • On Friday, Pres. Emmanuel Macron appointed François Bayrou, founder of the centrist Democratic Movement (MoDem) party, as France's fourth prime minister of 2024 following Michel Barnier's ouster through a no-confidence vote.[1][2]
  • Bayrou's appointment comes as parliament is divided between three main blocs — the left alliance, Macron's centrists, and the right-wing National Rally — following inconclusive snap elections in June.[3]
  • The new prime minister's immediate challenge involves passing a special law to roll over the 2024 budget and crafting a belt-tightening 2025 budget that led to Barnier's downfall.[1]
  • France's budget deficit is expected to hit 6.1% of GDP this year, with Barnier's rejected plan seeking €60B ($62.9B) in tax increases and spending cuts.[2]
  • Bayrou, who previously served as education minister (1993-1997) and ran for president three times, was recently cleared of fraud charges related to European Parliament funds.[4]
  • Despite calls for his resignation, Macron has vowed to remain in office until his second term ends in 2027.[5][6]

Sources: [1]Reuters, [2]BBC News, [3]The Guardian, [4]EuroNews, [5]Time and [6]NBC.

Narratives

  • Left narrative, as provided by EuroNews and The Guardian.The appointment of Bayrou, a close Macron ally, represents a mere continuity of the president's deeply unpopular policies. It also ignores the summer election results that saw the left alliance win the most votes, potentially worsening the political and institutional crisis.
  • Right narrative, as provided by The European Conservative and The Christian Science Monitor. This marks a clear next step in Macron's strategy to prevent National Rally's Marine Le Pen from gaining power. Bayrou remains little more than a mouthpiece for the pro-EU ruling elite, offering no fresh perspectives on the pressing crises facing France. Instead, he brings a readiness to align with the president.
  • Pro-establishment narrative, as provided by Time and POLITICO. Bayrou's extensive political experience and reputation for compromise make him ideally suited to unite France's divided parliament and defend national interests during this critical period, while his centrist position could help build crucial stability for Macron.