Janice R. Andrews
Paris, France – France’s newly appointed Prime Minister, François Bayrou, has begun consultations with key political leaders to establish a new government following the recent downfall of Michel Barnier’s administration.
Bayrou’s first meeting was with far-right National Rally (RN) leaders, Jordan Bardella and Marine Le Pen. Although critical of his appointment, they stated that the RN would not block the formation of the government until it had reviewed its policy proposals.
Next, Bayrou plans to meet with Gabriel Attal from the Renaissance party and Socialist Party leader Olivier Faure, along with other influential figures. Conservative leader Laurent Wauquiez of Droite Républicaine has expressed conditional support, depending on the government’s future policies.
The far-left La France Insoumise party, however, has refused to participate in the talks. Party leader Jean-Luc Mélenchon dismissed the meetings as “political theater.”
Discussions will continue on Tuesday, with Bayrou meeting with representatives from the Greens, MoDem, Horizons, Independents (LIOT), Communists, and the UDR group led by Éric Ciotti, former president of the Republican Party.
2025 Budget Key Issue
A major topic of these discussions is the 2025 budget, which played a key role in the collapse of Barnier’s government. The former prime minister used a special constitutional provision to pass a controversial Social Security budget without parliamentary approval, sparking outrage across the political spectrum. This led to a no-confidence vote on December 4, toppling the government.
With no approved budget for 2025, a special bill has been introduced to ensure that essential services continue uninterrupted. This bill includes tax hikes, spending based on the 2024 budget, and additional borrowing by the government and Social Security.
MPs will begin reviewing the bill on Monday, with some pushing for tax adjustments to account for inflation. The Senate is scheduled to examine the bill on Wednesday.
Through these consultations, Bayrou aims to secure broad support and address France’s fiscal challenges moving forward.
