In a pivotal move, French President Emmanuel Macron has appointed centrist leader Francois Bayrou as the country’s new prime minister. This announcement comes just nine days after Michel Barnier's government was ousted by a historic no-confidence vote, signaling a significant shift in France's political landscape.
At 73, Francois Bayrou, the head of the Democratic Movement (MoDem) party, brings decades of political experience to his new role. Founded by Bayrou in 2007, MoDem has been a key ally to Macron's Renaissance party. Bayrou himself has a notable history, having run as a presidential candidate in 2002, 2007, and 2012.
Despite the hopeful outlook, Bayrou faces immediate challenges. Jordan Bardella, president of the far-right National Rally party, expressed skepticism on BFMTV, stating that Bayrou lacks democratic legitimacy and the necessary majority in the National Assembly. Bardella emphasized the need for Bayrou to engage in dialogue with all parliamentary forces to govern effectively.
Adding to the political tension, the hard-left La France Insoumise (LFI) has announced intentions to launch a no-confidence vote against Bayrou. LFI argues that the prime minister’s position should belong to someone from the alliance of left-wing parties that secured the most seats in the recent snap legislative elections.
Undeterred by the opposition, Bayrou stressed the importance of unity and reconciliation in his first press conference. "Everyone understands the difficulty of the task… There is a path to be found that unites people instead of dividing them," he stated.
The transfer of power ceremony took place Friday evening at Matignon, the official residence of the French prime minister. During the ceremony, Bayrou acknowledged the gravity of France's current political situation, pledging to navigate the nation through these challenging times.
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
