French President Emmanuel Macron is facing a stormy political year, having appointed his third prime minister in just 12 months. On Friday, Macron named Francois Bayrou, a seasoned centrist politician, as the new head of government after a tense two-hour meeting.
Bayrou, 73, is stepping into a highly unstable political climate. A former presidential candidate and long-time ally of Macron, Bayrou is tasked with leading France out of its growing political and financial troubles. But can he succeed where his predecessors failed?
Why Does France Keep Losing Prime Ministers?
The problem isn’t just about personalities—it’s about France’s deeply divided parliament and worsening budget crisis.
Bayrou’s predecessor, Michel Barnier, lasted just over three months as prime minister. He was forced to resign earlier this month after losing a no-confidence vote in parliament. Barnier had tried to push through a 2025 budget with strict spending cuts, arguing that these were necessary to reduce France’s growing deficit. The country’s budget shortfall is now at 6.1% of its economic output, more than double the limit set by the European Union. But Barnier’s tough stance on austerity didn’t sit well with many lawmakers, and his plans were rejected.
Before Barnier, Gabriel Attal held the position of prime minister. He stepped down in July after a snap parliamentary election left France with a hung parliament, divided into three competing political groups that seem unable to agree on anything.
The Political Mess Macron Can’t Escape
Macron’s leadership is under fire like never before. His Renaissance party suffered a major defeat in this year’s European elections, losing to the right-wing National Rally (RN) party. This forced Macron to call for snap elections in June. The result? Chaos.
The left-wing New Popular Front (NPF) coalition ended up winning the most seats in parliament, thanks to a pact with Macron to block the rise of the RN. But in a controversial move, Macron later ignored the NPF and instead formed a minority government, relying on quiet support from the very party he wanted to sideline—the RN.
This political balancing act has left Macron increasingly isolated. His approval ratings are low, and some critics are even calling for his resignation. But Macron has made it clear: he’s staying in office until his term ends in 2027.
Who Is Francois Bayrou?
Francois Bayrou is no stranger to French politics. He founded the Democratic Movement party and has been a key ally of Macron since 2017. He’s also run for president three times—in 2002, 2007, and 2012—and served as France’s education minister in the 1990s.
Bayrou has faced his share of controversies. In 2017, he was briefly appointed justice minister by Macron but resigned weeks later due to an investigation into his party’s alleged misuse of public funds. Earlier this year, he was cleared of those charges.
Now, Bayrou faces his biggest challenge yet. Leading a deeply divided parliament and steering France through its economic struggles won’t be easy. His close ties to Macron—who is deeply unpopular in some circles—might make his job even harder.
What’s Next for France?
Bayrou’s appointment signals a desperate attempt by Macron to restore stability to his government. But with opposition parties firmly entrenched and France’s economic problems mounting, it’s unclear how long this new prime minister will last.
As Macron clings to power amid growing calls for his resignation, Bayrou must navigate a political minefield. Will he be able to push through reforms, or will he become yet another casualty of France’s volatile political landscape?
Only time will tell, but one thing is clear: France’s political drama is far from over.
