France’s New Prime Minister Struggles to Establish Government Amid Political Turmoil
In a bid to navigate a politically turbulent landscape, French Prime Minister François Bayrou has unveiled his new government—his administration’s fourth since the start of the year. This comes as the country braces for a potential vote of no confidence from a deeply fragmented parliament.
Bayrou’s cabinet features a blend of familiar faces and new appointments. Notable inclusions are former Interior Minister Gérald Darmanin, now Justice Minister, and Elizabeth Borne, previously prime minister, back as Education Secretary. Other key figures include Manuel Valls as Overseas Minister and Éric Lombard as Economy Minister.
The recent political atmosphere has been charged, with leading figures eyeing the 2027 presidential elections and showing reluctance to associate with a government that could soon collapse. Just 90 days into his tenure, Bayrou’s predecessor, Michel Barnier, was ousted in a no-confidence vote.
Tasked with forming a "national interest government," Bayrou has sought to avoid alliances with far-right and hard-left factions. However, his cabinet has demonstrated a lean towards conservative politics, a shift catalyzed by Macron’s snap election that resulted in a parliament split into three nearly equal factions—none with outright control.
One immediate challenge for Bayrou is drafting a budget for 2025 to tackle France’s anticipated budget deficit, projected to hit 6% of GDP by year’s end. Amid criticisms, particularly from the Socialist Party, Bayrou faces accusations of aligning with far-right ideals, especially concerning his choice of cabinet members.
As the French parliament is currently on recess, the new government will hold its first council of ministers on January 3. Meanwhile, opposition parties, including La France Insoumise, are preparing to initiate another no-confidence motion, posing an ongoing threat to Bayrou’s administration stability.
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Photo credit www.theguardian.com
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