Can François Bayrou unite France’s moderates? Marine Le Pen looms if he fails | Paul Taylor

Macron’s fourth premier this year faces the same budgetary headache as Michel Barnier – but the parliamentary equation has changed

The latest attempt to resolve France’s political and financial crisis might be dubbed “back to the future”.

The new prime minister, François Bayrou, was minister of education when Emmanuel Macron was still a schoolboy. The 73-year-old centrist, whom the president reluctantly appointed on Friday after days of closed-door wrangling after the fall of Michel Barnier’s short-lived government, was a vital ally and consigliere to the young Macron when he dynamited France’s political system in 2017 to win the presidency at the tender age of 39.

Topics

Macron Appoints François Bayrou as France’s New Prime Minister

François Bayrou, a veteran centrist politician, is the fourth prime minister in a year, a record for France.
The New York Times - 2d
Macron names centrist ally François Bayrou as France's new prime minister

French President Emmanuel Macron named centrist ally François Bayrou as France's new prime minister on Friday as he sought to steer the country out of political chaos.
NBC News - 3d
François Bayrou commands respect - but can he save France from crisis?

It is hard to see how he can avoid the same man-traps that felled his predecessor, writes Hugh Schofield.
BBC News - 3d
Macron ally François Bayrou appointed new French prime minister

Veteran centrist is the fourth French prime minister this year as country struggles with growing political crisis. From farmer to premier: who is François Bayrou, the new French PM? François ...
The Guardian - 3d
Macron names François Bayrou as Frances new prime minister

The French president met with centrist politician François Bayrou earlier in the morning.
MarketWatch - 3d
In France, Marine Le Pen Takes Aim at the Top

After helping to oust the prime minister last week, the far-right leader has made clear her next target is President Emmanuel Macron.
The New York Times - 5d
Le Pen’s show of force puts France on notice

Far-right standard bearer gambled that shaping events would convince voters her party was ready for power
Financial Times - Dec. 6
Marine Le Pen Is Holding France Hostage

The government’s fall shows the strength of the far right.
The New York Times - Dec. 5
Moment of big opportunity and high risk for Marine Le Pen

Backing the collapse of Michel Barnier's French government is a high-stakes gamble for the far right leader.
BBC News - Dec. 4