France’s Macron names centrist ally François Bayrou as next prime minister

• French President Emmanuel Macron appointed centrist ally François Bayrou as prime minister after a historic parliamentary vote ousted the previous government.
• Former Prime Minister Michel Barnier resigned last week following a no-confidence vote, leaving France without a functioning government.
• Bayrou leads the centrist Democratic Movement, known as MoDem, which he founded in 2007.

French President Emmanuel Macron on Friday appointed centrist ally François Bayrou as prime minister after a historic parliamentary vote ousted the previous government last week.

Bayrou, 73, a key partner in Macron’s centrist alliance, has been a familiar figure in French politics for decades. His political experience is seen as key in efforts to restore stability as no party holds a majority in the National Assembly.

Macron’s office said in a statement that Bayrou “has been tasked with forming a new government.”

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Former Prime Minister Michel Barnier resigned last week following a no-confidence vote sparked by budget disputes in the National Assembly, leaving France without a functioning government.

In an address to the nation, Macron vowed to remain in office until his term ends in 2027.

Macron’s centrist alliance does not have a majority in parliament, and Bayrou’s Cabinet will have to rely on moderate left- and right-wing lawmakers to stay in power. Some conservatives are expected to be part of the new government.

French President Emmanuel Macron, right, meets with French centrist MoDem (Democratic Movement) party leader François Bayrou at the Elysee Palace in Paris, France, June 21, 2022. French President Emmanuel Macron named Bayrou as the new prime minister on December 13 2024. (Ludovic Marin/Pool photo via AP, File)

Macron’s strategy aims to prevent far-right leader Marine Le Pen from holding “make or break” power over the government. Le Pen helped oust Barnier by joining the left-wing forces of her National Rally party to pass the no-confidence motion last week.

Bayrou’s appointment is also in line with Macron’s efforts to build a non-aggression pact with the Socialists so that they pledge not to vote against the government in any future confidence motion.

Bayrou leads the centrist Democratic Movement, known as MoDem, which he founded in 2007.

In 2017, he supported Macron’s first presidential bid and became an important partner in the French president’s centrist alliance.

At the time, he was appointed justice minister, but quickly resigned from the government amid an investigation into alleged embezzlement of European Parliament funds by MoDem.

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This year, Bayrou was freed by a Paris court that found eight other party officials guilty and ordered the party to pay a fine.

Bayrou became well known the French public when he was Education Minister from 1993 to 1997 in a Conservative government.

He was a candidate for president three times, in 2002, 2007 and 2012.