In an attempt to pull the second-largest EU economy out of a political crisis, French President Emmanuel announced Macron’s Fourth Government on Monday night, assembling a team led by Francois Bayrou, his fourth prime minister of the year.
According to the president, Macron appointed former prime minister Elisabeth Borne as the minister of education in a new cabinet led by centrist Bayrou.
Gerald Darmanin, a former interior minister, was appointed justice minister, while Manuel Valls, another former premier, returned as minister of foreign territories.
According to the presidency, Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot and Defense Minister Sebastien Lecornu both retained their positions.
Bruno Retailleau, the conservative interior minister who has promised to take tough measures against illegal immigration, also remained in his position.
The new economy minister, Eric Lombard, has the challenging task of presenting a financial plan for the upcoming year.
Macron wants a strong government that will enjoy stability and avoid the same fate as Bayrou’s predecessor Michel Barnier, as seen by the participation of two previous prime ministers.
The 73-year-old Bayrou’s top priorities in Macron’s Fourth Government are ensuring his government can withstand a vote of no confidence and passing a 2025 budget that reduces spending.
After authorities were heavily criticized for their response to the deadly cyclone that killed at least 35 people on the Indian Ocean territory of Mayotte, Valls, who served as premier from 2014 to 2016, unexpectedly returned to the position as head of the overseas territories ministry, demonstrating the significance of the position.
After days of heated negotiations, Darmanin, who has long coveted the position of foreign minister, will have to settle for the justice ministry.
The news was made as France, its poorest overseas territory, commemorated a day of grief for the fatalities on the cyclone-affected Indian Ocean atoll of Mayotte.
On December 13, Bayrou was appointed as the leader of the centrist MoDem group, which is affiliated with Macron’s party. Many people already think Bayrou won’t make it.
Since Macron bet on hasty elections this summer in an attempt to increase his power, France has been stuck in an impasse. Voters returned a parliament divided between three opposing blocs as a result of the miscalculous move.
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