French President Macron names centrist leader Francois Bayrou as new Prime Minister

French President Emmanuel Macron appointed centrist leader François Bayrou as the new Prime Minister of France following a no-confidence vote that ousted the previous government. Francois Bayrou is the fourth Prime Minister this year. The 73-year-old MoDem leader, is tasked with forming a government and bringing stability amid the political turmoil. 

The previous Prime Minister, Michel



Barnier, served only three months, becoming the shortest serving in French history. The priority for Bayrou, a close Macron ally, will be passing a special law to roll over the 2024 budget, with a battle over the 2025 legislation looming early next year. Parliamentary pushback over the 2025 bill led to the downfall of former Prime Minister Michel Barnier’s government.