French President Emmanuel Macron has appointed centrist ally Francois Bayrou as prime minister in an effort to address the political crisis that has been challenging his authority. Bayrou, a 73-year-old centrist politician and founder of the Democratic Movement political party (MoDem), has previously run for president three times and has now been tasked with forming a new government.
The appointment comes after the former prime minister, Michel Barnier, lost a vote of no confidence and was forced to resign. Barnier's minority government fell apart as it attempted to pass a 2025 budget that included significant tax hikes, leading to opposition from both left-wing and far-right blocs in parliament.
Bayrou faces the immediate challenge of passing a budget before December 21, with the possibility of resorting to a 'fiscal continuity law' if the deadline is missed. This law would allow the government to continue collecting taxes and paying salaries at 2024 levels to avoid a shutdown.
With a sharply divided parliament and strong opposition forces, Bayrou's tenure as prime minister remains uncertain. However, he will need to navigate these challenges to stabilize Macron's administration and regain political momentum.
