HomeNEWSNew French Government Named After Previous One Recently Collapsed

New French Government Named After Previous One Recently Collapsed


What’s New

French President Emmanuel Macron‘s office on Monday announced a new government following the collapse of the previous Cabinet during a fight involving France’s budget.

According to The Associated Press, Prime Minister François Bayrou assembled the new government with members of the previous conservative-dominated team along with new centrist and left-leaning members.

Earlier this month, Michel Barnier submitted his resignation as France’s prime minister following a historic no-confidence vote that toppled the country’s government. The vote against Barnier’s government came after he attempted to push through part of an annual budget.

Why It Matters

The most pressing task for the incoming government will be drafting a 2025 budget. After months of political gridlock and crisis, it faces mounting pressure from financial markets to address France’s towering debt.

Francois Bayrou speaks on French TV
France’s Prime Minister Francois Bayrou appears on the political TV show “L’Evenement” (The Event) broadcast on French TV channel France 2, in Paris, on December 19, 2024. France on Monday named its new government.

Photo by VALENTINE CHAPUIS/AFP via Getty Images

Macron has pledged to remain in office until his term concludes in 2027 but has faced challenges in governing after snap elections this summer left the National Assembly without a clear majority. In the 10 days since his appointment, Bayrou has engaged in discussions with leaders across the political spectrum to find the right composition for the new government.

What To Know

Eric Lombard, a banker, will take on the role of finance minister at a critical time as France works to meet its commitments to European Union partners to lower its deficit, which is projected to hit 6 percent of GDP this year. Lombard previously served as an adviser to a Socialist finance minister in the 1990s.

Bayrou has expressed support for the tax increases proposed by his predecessor, but the challenge remains in crafting a budget that balances those measures with spending cuts, a move likely to face resistance from a majority of lawmakers.

Hard-right Bruno Retailleau will continue as interior minister, overseeing France’s security and migration policies. Sebastien Lecornu, a key figure in France’s military support for Ukraine, stays on as defense minister. Jean-Noel Barrot, who has recently conducted extensive diplomacy in the Middle East, remains in his role as foreign minister.

The new government includes two former prime ministers in prominent roles: Manuel Valls will serve as minister for overseas affairs, while Elisabeth Borne has been appointed to lead the education ministry.

What People Are Saying

François Bayrou faced backlash Monday for engaging with Marine Le Pen‘s far-right party during consultations, with critics also claiming that the new government bears too strong a resemblance to its predecessor to gain lawmakers’ confidence.

What’s Next

Bayrou will need backing from centrist lawmakers on both the right and left to maintain his government’s stability.

This article includes reporting from The Associated Press.

Update 12/23/24 2:54 p.m. EST: This story has been updated with further information.

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