PARIS, FRANCE – In a television appearance on Monday night, French Prime Minister François Bayrou defended his recent cabinet selections, aimed at steering France through what he described as the most challenging situation since World War II. Just over an hour after his first cabinet was announced, Bayrou spoke on BMF TV with journalists Apolline de Malherbe and Benjamin Duhamel, emphasizing the dire state of the nation’s finances and political landscape.
Bayrou highlighted the current crisis, stating, “It is a country that has no budget, no majority, in which a large number of French people think and believe that they are being left out, that no attention is being paid to them.” He justified his decision to bring back familiar faces like former Prime Ministers Elisabeth Borne and Manuel Valls, positioning Borne as his de facto deputy with a focus on education, which he identified as the country’s primary challenge.
During the interview, Bayrou portrayed himself as a centrist leader intent on unifying the nation. “If we want to fight the immense problems France is facing at the moment, we cannot let disagreements rule,” he asserted, aiming to bridge political divides.
The reappointment of Manuel Valls, who last served as Prime Minister under François Hollande, was particularly notable. Valls is tasked with managing the recovery of Mayotte, an Indian Ocean territory devastated by Cyclone Chido, which resulted in at least 35 deaths and over 2,500 injuries. Bayrou stressed the urgency of addressing the needs of France’s overseas territories, “They are very fragile, very destabilized societies, which feel that no one is looking after them.”
Bayrou’s cabinet also includes Gérald Darmanin, returning as Justice Minister, and Bruno Retailleau, continuing as Interior Minister, both known for their stringent policies. Despite accusations of influence from Marine Le Pen’s National Rally by former minister Xavier Bertrand, Bayrou denied any such sway.
In his policy outlook, Bayrou promised to avoid using the contentious Article 49.3 of the French Constitution, which allows the government to pass legislation without parliamentary approval, unless absolutely necessary. He also expressed reluctance to impose new taxes on businesses but acknowledged the need to tackle the national deficit.
Appointed by President Emmanuel Macron on December 13 to succeed Michel Barnier, Bayrou leads the fourth government of the year. However, his cabinet has faced immediate criticism. Jordan Bardella of the National Rally called it a “coalition of failure,” while Marine Tondelier from the Green Party accused him of aligning with far-right ideologies. Mathilde Panot from France Unbowed criticized the government for being composed of individuals “rejected at the ballot box,” with support from Le Pen’s party.
Right-wing LR parliament members have expressed reservations, with Laurent Wauquiez indicating a cautious stance towards supporting Bayrou’s government. The first cabinet meeting is scheduled for January 3, followed by Bayrou’s policy address to parliament on January 14. Meanwhile, France Unbowed MPs plan to introduce a motion of no confidence against Bayrou’s administration as soon as possible.