Macron’s political shake-up: New government aims to resolve France’s crisis

Paris: French President Emmanuel Macron unveiled a new government on Monday evening, under Prime Minister François Bayrou, his fourth prime minister of the year. This move aims to pull France, the second-largest economy in the European Union, out of its ongoing political crisis.

In the new cabinet, former Prime Minister Elisabeth Borne, 63, has been appointed as the education minister under Bayrou’s leadership. Another former premier, Manuel Valls, 62, makes a return as the overseas territories minister. Former Interior Minister Gérald Darmanin, who had long been a prominent figure in Macron’s government, was shifted to the position of justice minister.

Additionally, Defence Minister Sébastien Lecornu and Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot retain their positions. Lecornu, 38, is a close ally of Macron, having served in every government since the president’s first term in 2017.

Political stability and strategic appointments

The reshuffling also saw the retention of conservative figures in key positions, such as Interior Minister Bruno Retailleau, known for his stance on illegal immigration, and right-wing Culture Minister Rachida Dati. These appointments are seen as an effort to create a stable government capable of navigating political challenges.

The challenging task of delivering the national budget for 2025 has been entrusted to Eric Lombard, 66, the head of public-sector lender Caisse des Dépôts (CDC), who has been appointed as the economy minister.

"I'm very proud of the team we're presenting this evening," Bayrou said on X, adding his "experienced" government would aim to "rebuild trust".

The inclusion of two former prime ministers signals Macron’s desire to form a heavyweight cabinet that can avoid the fate of his previous prime minister, Michel Barnier, who was ousted after a no-confidence vote over an austerity budget. Bayrou’s 35-member team, however, does not include any representatives from the left-wing coalition, New Popular Front, which emerged victorious in the recent snap legislative elections.

The decision to exclude the left-wing coalition has angered left-wing politicians, who criticized the move, highlighting ongoing political divisions.

"It's not a government, it's a provocation. The extreme right in power under the watchful eye of the extreme right," Socialist leader Olivier Faure said on X.

Key challenges ahead for Prime Minister Bayrou

Bayrou, 73, now faces the pressing challenge of ensuring his government survives a potential no-confidence vote and successfully passes a cost-cutting budget for 2025. The unexpected return of Valls to government, as overseas territories minister, underscores the importance of addressing the fallout from the recent crisis in Mayotte, where a deadly cyclone claimed at least 35 lives.

Meanwhile, Darmanin, who had long sought the foreign minister position, will have to focus on justice after intense discussions, leaving him to navigate the department with a shifting political landscape.

Political tensions and opposition responses

Before the official announcement, right-wing politician Xavier Bertrand declared he would not be joining the government. He voiced concerns that the government was formed with the "backing" of far-right leader Marine Le Pen’s National Rally, which may play a significant role in supporting the government’s survival. Bertrand’s opposition to the far-right has made him a figure of tension within the political climate.

"The prime minister informed me this morning, contrary to what he had proposed yesterday, that he was no longer in a position to entrust me with responsibility for the justice ministry due to opposition from National Rally," Bertrand said.

Prime Minister Bayrou quickly denied that the far-right had influenced the cabinet's composition, despite the political speculation. "It is not true that any influence whatsoever was exerted on me," he told BFMTV.

Le Pen warned that Bayrou's government "will have to change its methods, listen to its opponents and build a budget that takes account of the choices expressed at the ballot box".

"Nothing can be done or decided behind the backs of eleven million French people," she said on X, referring to her supporters.

The announcement of the new government came on the same day as France observed a day of mourning for the victims of the deadly cyclone in Mayotte, one of France’s poorest overseas territories.

France's ongoing political crisis

Bayrou was appointed as prime minister on December 13, becoming the sixth prime minister of Macron’s mandate. The political deadlock in France began after Macron’s gamble on snap elections this summer failed, resulting in a fractured parliament with three rival political blocs. Le Pen has suggested that Macron’s political crisis has weakened his authority, and she is now preparing for a potential early presidential election.

In an editorial for Le Figaro, Vincent Tremolet de Villers wrote: "Macron-Bayrou, the government of the last chance."

Agency