French President Emmanuel Macron has appointed a new government, assembling a team under François Bayrou, marking his fourth prime minister of the year, in an effort to navigate the second-largest EU economy out of its political turmoil.
Mr. Macron designated former prime minister Élisabeth Borne, 63, as the education minister in the newly formed cabinet under Mr. Bayrou, as announced by Élysée secretary-general Alexis Kohler.
In addition, another former prime minister, 62-year-old Manuel Valls, returns as the minister for overseas territories, while former interior minister Gérald Darmanin takes on the role of justice minister.
The presidency confirmed that both Defence Minister Sébastien Lecornu and Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot retain their positions.
Conservative Interior Minister Bruno Retailleau, who has pledged to crack down on illegal immigration, along with right-wing Culture Minister Rachida Dati, also maintained their roles.
The former French prime minister Michel Barnier was dismissed following a no-confidence vote.
The challenging task of delivering a budget plan for the upcoming year has been assigned to Eric Lombard, head of the public sector lender Caisse des Dépôts, who has been appointed as economy minister.
“I take great pride in the team we are unveiling this evening,” Mr. Bayrou stated on X, emphasizing that his “experienced” cabinet aims to “rebuild trust.”
The inclusion of two former prime ministers reflects Mr. Macron’s objective for a stable government that does not face the same fate as Mr. Bayrou’s predecessor, Michel Barnier, who was ousted in a no-confidence vote.
Mr. Bayrou had planned to incorporate individuals from the left, right, and center to shield his administration from potential censure, yet his 35-member team does not feature any representatives from the left-wing coalition, New Popular Front.
According to the presidency, Mr. Macron will convene Mr. Bayrou’s team for their first Council of Ministers meeting on January 3.
Mr. Barnier’s removal was attributed to his inability to secure backing for an austerity budget designed to stabilize France’s precarious finances through spending cuts and tax increases.
At least 35 individuals lost their lives when a cyclone hit the Indian Ocean territory of Mayotte.
Mr. Bayrou, 73, prioritizes ensuring his government’s survival in a no-confidence vote, alongside passing a cost-cutting budget for 2025.
Mr. Valls’ unexpected return, as the leader of the overseas territories ministry, highlights the significance of the position following criticism of the government’s response to the cyclone in Mayotte, which resulted in numerous fatalities.
Though Mr. Darmanin had long aspired to be the foreign minister, he will have to settle for the justice ministry after intensive discussions.
Right-wing politician Xavier Bertrand, who was speculated to take the health ministry position, announced just before the official announcement that he would not join the government.
He claimed that it had been formed with the implicit “backing” of far-right leader Marine Le Pen, who is expected to play a crucial role in ensuring its survival.
“The prime minister informed me this morning that, contrary to what he had proposed yesterday, he could no longer assign me the responsibility for the justice ministry due to opposition from Le Pen’s National Rally,” Mr. Bertrand stated.
“Despite his new proposals, I refuse to partake in a French government formed with the support of Marine Le Pen,” he added.
Mr. Bertrand has long been a notable opponent of the far-right.
On March 31, 2025, Ms. Le Pen will face a verdict in an embezzlement trial that she denies, with the potential to lose her opportunity to run in the 2027 elections if convicted, impacting her chances of securing the presidency.
Mr. Bayrou was appointed French prime minister on December 13.
The announcement came as France observed a day of mourning for the victims of the cyclone in Mayotte, the nation’s poorest overseas territory.
Mr. Bayrou, the leader of the centrist MoDem party, allied with Mr. Macron’s party, was appointed on December 13.
He is the sixth prime minister of Mr. Macron’s term.
Many are already speculating that Mr. Bayrou will face challenges in maintaining his position.
France has been ensnared in deadlock since Mr. Macron opted for snap elections this summer, hoping to strengthen his mandate, which backfired as voters elected a fragmented parliament with three competing blocs.
Ms. Le Pen suggested that Mr. Macron has been weakened by months of political instability and might eventually have to resign.
“I am preparing for an early presidential election,” she remarked to French newspaper Le Parisien last week.
