French President Emmanuel Macron has appointed a new cabinet, marking the second change in less than three weeks as France struggles with a bitter budgetary stalemate. François Bayrou, a seasoned centrist, was chosen as prime minister, mirroring the center-right orientation of the previous government.
The new government’s appointment comes at a critical time for Europe, with Germany’s government collapsing and new elections likely to take place in late February. The turmoil has raised concerns about the continent’s security, economic growth, and trade policies under the Trump administration.
France is facing significant debt and deficit issues, with no clear solution in sight. Previous prime ministers have proposed tax increases and spending cuts, but these efforts were met with resistance from both the left and right. Bayrou’s government will need to find a compromise on the spending plan to address these problems.
The new government excludes major parties, including the National Rally and France Unbowed, which may lead to challenges in finding legislative support. Marine Le Pen, leader of the National Rally, has expressed her willingness to work with Bayrou, but has also criticized his government for lacking legitimacy.
Bayrou’s appointment is seen as a effort to project stability in foreign policy, but it remains unclear how this will be achieved. The French president, who is unpopular in France, has largely stayed out of the budget debate, leaving the new prime minister and cabinet with the task of finding a solution.
Source: https://www.nytimes.com/2024/12/23/world/europe/macron-new-cabinet-france.html