Francois Bayrou prioritizes controversial budget rollover amid looming battles

In France, Emmanuel Macron appointed Francois Bayrou as the new Prime Minister on December 13, 2024, marking his fourth appointee in this role within the year. This appointment comes in the wake of significant political turmoil, with Macron seeking to navigate through a hung parliament that has made governance increasingly challenging. Bayrou, at 73 years old, has been a long-time ally of Macron and has previously run for the presidency three times, leaning on his established roots in local politics as the former mayor of Pau. With the government struggling to manage a fragmented National Assembly following Macron's recent snap election, parliamentary resistance has intensified, particularly concerning the 2025 budget legislation, which had previously contributed to the fall of Michel Barnier's government. Bayrou's initial responsibility will be to pass a special law to ensure the 2024 budget's provisions remain intact as the upcoming legislative session looms closer. He is anticipated to introduce his cabinet members soon. Despite the confidence expressed by some political factions, Bayrou will inevitably face scrutiny due to Macron's low approval ratings, with some party leaders already voicing skepticism regarding coalition collaboration, particularly from the Socialists. The political landscape remains fraught with challenges, as government debt pressures, nearing a 6% deficit, and the tightly-contested political landscape raise uncertainties about Macron's future, especially if Bayrou fails to secure the necessary parliamentary support. As Bayrou steps into this pivotal role, expectations are high that he will manage to stave off any immediate no-confidence votes, a challenge exacerbated by the intertwined interests of various political blocs that have long-standing rivalries and differing priorities.