France has introduced a revamped government led by Prime Minister François Bayrou, tasked with navigating a contentious 2025 budget and averting a deepening political crisis.
Key appointments include Eric Lombard, 66, head of Caisse des Dépôts, as finance minister, and Amélie de Montchalin as budget minister. They join Bayrou in tackling a deficit projected to exceed 6% of GDP by year’s end.
The reshuffle follows the collapse of the previous administration under Michel Barnier, ousted after parliament rejected the 2025 budget proposal. Lawmakers return from recess on January 13, and Bayrou’s team faces an uphill battle against potential no-confidence motions.
French President Emmanuel Macron aims for the government to hold out until July, when a new parliamentary election could be called. However, Bayrou’s early days as prime minister have been rocky, with criticism over his use of a private jet and low public support—64% disapprove of his appointment, according to a recent poll.
The opposition remains fragmented. Leftist parties and the far-right National Rally have declined to join Bayrou’s government, while unions have shown little enthusiasm for collaborating on a revised pension reform.
Concerns have also been raised over finance minister Lombard’s close ties to Macron and his career in finance, potentially exposing him to political criticism despite his strong credentials.
Bayrou’s government faces immediate pressure to restore investor confidence and address France’s fiscal challenges, with time and political goodwill running short.
