François Bayrou, known for his steadfast loyalty, was appointed Prime Minister by Emmanuel Macron on December 13, shortly after a governmental crisis. Their political alliance began in 2017, leading to Macron’s presidential victory. Despite a brief stint as Minister of Justice, Bayrou remained supportive of Macron’s administration. His role became crucial following the 2022 elections, where MoDem deputies helped secure a majority. Bayrou has consistently voiced his opinions, advocating for reforms while also acknowledging Macron’s bold decisions.
Unwavering loyalty defines François Bayrou, who has been dubbed the ‘first ally’ by the Élysée. On December 13, just nine days after the government faced a motion of censure from 331 deputies, Emmanuel Macron made a significant decision by appointing Bayrou as the new Prime Minister. After a week of intense discussions and an anxious morning of waiting, the 73-year-old leader of MoDem stepped into the role at Matignon.
According to sources close to the presidency, ‘He emerged as the individual best suited to achieve unity and establish the government of general interest’ as advocated by the President of the Republic. This marks a pivotal moment for Bayrou, who has previously run for the presidency multiple times before aligning himself with Emmanuel Macron.
February 22, 2017: A Pivotal Moment in the Political Landscape
The partnership between Macron and Bayrou commenced on February 22, 2017. At that time, Marine Le Pen (FN) and François Fillon (LR) were leading the presidential polls, leaving Macron trailing. In a surprising turn, Bayrou announced that he would not pursue a fourth consecutive candidacy but instead proposed ‘an alliance’ with Macron, who accepted the offer the very next day. This alliance transformed potential rivals into allies.
Fueled by this newfound collaboration, Macron emerged victorious in the first round of voting two months later, ultimately winning the presidential election by a substantial margin. However, their alliance did not secure a direct ticket to power: on May 15, 2017, Édouard Philippe was appointed Prime Minister, while Bayrou took on the role of Minister of State and Minister of Justice.
Though Bayrou’s tenure at the Chancellery was brief, it was marked by considerable debate, particularly following a disagreement with Philippe regarding his freedom of speech. ‘Whenever there is something to say to the French, to officials, whether they are political, journalistic, or media, whenever there is something to say, I will say it’, Bayrou asserted. In response, the Prime Minister warned, ‘When you are a minister, you can no longer react as when you are a simple citizen.’ Ultimately, after becoming embroiled in a preliminary investigation concerning parliamentary assistant jobs linked to his party, Bayrou stepped down from his ministerial position just a month later.
Appointment to the High Commission for Planning
Despite his resignation, Bayrou continued to support Emmanuel Macron. His parliamentary group in the National Assembly remained a part of the ruling majority, with several MoDem ministers contributing to both Édouard Philippe’s and Jean Castex’s governments starting in the summer of 2020. During this time, Macron appointed Bayrou to lead the General High Commission for Planning.
Bayrou reaffirmed his backing for Macron during the 2022 presidential elections, though he opted not to sponsor him. As the mayor of Pau, he decided to lend his sponsorship to Marine Le Pen, who was struggling to gather the necessary 500 signatures to stand as a candidate, stating it was to ‘save democracy.’
Following Macron’s re-election in April 2022, Bayrou’s support became increasingly crucial, especially after the legislative elections two months later. Unlike Macron’s first term, the Renaissance party (formerly known as La République En Marche) lacked a majority in the National Assembly. The 48 MoDem deputies became essential allies for the presidential camp.
The Importance of Freedom of Speech
Despite his alliance, Bayrou has maintained a strong voice, at times openly expressing his disagreements with Macron. In June 2022, he questioned the presidential camp’s initiative to enshrine the right to abortion in the Constitution, pondering its ‘usefulness at this moment.’ In January 2023, he called for ‘thoughtful improvements’ to the pension reform, suggesting a ‘review clause’ to evaluate future funding. After the reform was enacted, he urged Macron to ‘reformulate a project for the country’ to invigorate his second term.
Bayrou also knows when to commend Macron. In June 2024, following the dissolution of the National Assembly—a move criticized across the political spectrum—Bayrou acknowledged it as a ‘risk-taking’ and a ‘courageous decision’ to ‘get the country out of the rut.’
After nearly eight years of collaboration, François Bayrou has finally taken on the role of Emmanuel Macron’s Prime Minister. Reflecting on this milestone in June 2023, he candidly admitted, ‘I would have loved to do that.’ He expressed genuine concern for the nation’s situation, affirming, ‘I would have liked to assume this role.’ Now, that aspiration has become a reality.