French President Emmanuel Macron appointed centrist friend François Bayrou as prime minister on Friday in an effort to address the country’s deep political crisis, which was triggered by a historic parliamentary vote last week that toppled the previous cabinet.

Bayrou, 73, a key member of Macron’s centrist alliance, has been a prominent figure in French politics for decades. His political experience is viewed as critical in efforts to restore stability, as no single party has a majority in the National Assembly. Macron’s office said in a statement that Bayrou “has been charged with forming a new government.” Former Prime Minister Michel Barnier resigned last week after a no-confidence vote in the National Assembly over budget concerns, leaving France without a functioning government. In an address to the country, Macron committed to stay in government until his tenure finishes in 2027.

Financial markets to lower its massive debt, which is expected to surpass 6% of its GDP this year. “I know that the risks of difficulties are much greater than the chances of success,” Bayrou stated, adding that he aims to lead the country to a “needed reconciliation.” “I think this is the only possible path to success,” he told me. Bayrou is likely to conduct meetings with political leaders from other parties in the coming days to select new ministries.

The work ahead of him is difficult because Macron’s centrist alliance lacks a parliamentary majority, and Bayrou’s Cabinet will need to rely on moderate members from both the left and right to maintain power. Some conservatives are anticipated to join the new government. Macron’s policy is to keep far-right leader Marine Le Pen from wielding “make or break” influence in the cabinet. Le Pen contributed to Barnier’s ouster by joining her National Rally party’s left-wing forces to pass the no-confidence resolution last week.

journalism. Donate now. PBS News Live Newly minted Prime Minister Francois Bayrou walks in Paris. By: Sylvie Corbet, Associated Press France’s Macron nominates centrist ally Bayrou as the country’s next prime minister. World December 13, 2024 4:38 PM EST. PARIS (AP)— French President Emmanuel Macron appointed centrist friend François Bayrou as prime minister on Friday in an effort to address the country’s deep political crisis, which was triggered by a historic parliamentary vote last week that toppled the previous cabinet. READ MORE: French President Macron vows to remain in power as prime minister resigns. Bayrou, 73, a key member of Macron’s centrist alliance, has been a prominent figure in French politics for decades. His political experience is considered as critical in efforts to restore stability.

The Socialists announced Friday that they would not serve in the new Cabinet, but did not rule out any “compromises” on policies. They wanted Bayrou to promise not to exercise a specific constitutional prerogative to pass legislation without a vote in parliament. “We expect you to provide the guarantees needed to avoid another no-confidence vote,” the party said in a letter to Bayro.

Bayrou leads the centrist Democratic Movement, or MoDem, which he formed in 2007. In 2017, he backed Macron’s first presidential campaign and became a key member of the French president’s centrist alliance. He was appointed justice minister at the time, but resigned shortly after due to an inquiry into the MoDem’s alleged theft of European Parliament funding.

This year, a Paris court freed him in the case after finding eight other party officials guilty and ordering the party to pay a fine. Bayrou rose to prominence in France after serving as education minister in a conservative government from 1993 to 1997.

He is largely regarded as having helped create the basis for Macron’s ascent to power in 2017. Long before the French president transformed the country’s politics by smashing the old right and left, Bayrou capitalized on voter dissatisfaction with established conservative and Socialist factions. Bayrou, a father of six and a devoted Catholic, has highlighted his rural farming background in the Pyrenees foothills, demonstrating his expertise of tractors and cattle-raising – despite spending the most of his time in Paris’ political halls.