Macron Names Francois Bayrou as New Prime Minister of France

François Bayrou will have to navigate France’s choppy political waters amidst division and billions of euros in spending cuts and tax increases.

French President Emmanuel Macron (R) meets French centrist party MoDem (Mouvement Democrate) leader Francois Bayrou at the Elysee Palace in Paris, on June 21, 2022. Ludovic Marin/Pool photo via AP

Centrist politician Francois Bayrou has been announced as France’s new prime minister.

On Dec. 5, French lawmakers from all sides of the political spectrum voted to remove conservative Michel Barnier from the powerful post, signaling deepening divisions within the French parliament.