Macron Appoints Centrist Bayrou as French Prime Minister

French President Emmanuel Macron has appointed François Bayrou, leader of the centrist MoDem party, as the country’s new prime minister in a decisive effort to address ongoing political instability. The announcement comes after weeks of turmoil that saw the swift ousting of Bayrou’s predecessor, Michel Barnier, who served only three months before being voted out by lawmakers.

Bayrou, 73, a longtime ally of Macron and mayor in southwestern France, met with the president for nearly two hours of tense discussions at the Élysée Palace before the final decision was reached. Known for his pragmatic centrist approach, Bayrou faces the daunting task of stabilizing a government mired in gridlock since Macron’s snap parliamentary elections last summer.

The appointment makes Bayrou Macron’s fourth prime minister this year, underscoring the challenges of navigating a deeply divided political landscape. A recent BFMTV poll revealed that 61% of French voters are concerned about the country’s volatile political climate. Critics across the spectrum have voiced discontent, with Socialist regional leader Carole Dega likening the situation to a “bad movie” and far-left leader Manuel Bompard describing it as a “pathetic spectacle.”

Bayrou’s immediate move into the prime minister’s residence at Hôtel Matignon is expected to signal a fresh start, as Macron doubles down on his commitment to govern until the end of his term in 2027. The president, cutting short a diplomatic visit to Poland to finalize the appointment, aims to strengthen his administration’s ability to address pressing national and international challenges.

As he assumes office, Bayrou must navigate delicate alliances within a fractured parliament while implementing policies to address voter concerns.