France's Prime Minister François Bayrou mounted a vigorous defence on Monday night of his choices to lead the country out of its economic and political crisis.
Just over an hour after details of his first cabinet were announced, Bayrou went on live national television to explain the logic of recalling several names from previous administrations such as former prime ministers Elisabeth Borne, Manuel Valls.
“I think we're in the most difficult situation we've been in since the second world war," Bayrou told journalists Apolline de Malherbe and Benjamin Duhamel on BMF TV.
"It is a country that has no budget, no majority, in which a large number of French people think and believe that they are being left out, that no attention is being paid to them."
Bayrou said that Borne, who was premier between May 2022 and January 2024, would be his de facto number two.
“The country's number one challenge is education,” Bayrou added.
During the 90-minute interview, Bayrou attempted to present himself as a centrist, unifying figure. "If we want to fight the immense problems France is facing at the moment, we cannot let disagreements rule," he said.
The return of Valls came as a surprise. The 62-year-old served as François Hollande's premier between April 2014 and December 2016 and will take over as overseas territories minister after nearly a decade away from the white heat of power.
His priority will be to implement the rescue package for the battered Indian Ocean archipelago of Mayotte where Cyclone Chido left at least 35 dead and more than 2,500 injured.
"One of the most pressing issues for this country are overseas territories," Bayrou insisted. "They are very fragile, very destabilised societies, which feel that no one is looking after them."
France's Prime Minister Bayrou names new cabinet
The 73-year-old, who heads the liberal Democratic Movement (MoDem) party, denied he had succumbed to any influence from Marine Le Pen's National Rally on the composition of his government as claimed by the former minister Xavier Bertrand.
But there were acknowledged hard line operators at the interior and justice ministries. Gérald Darmanin, who served as Interior Minister between July 2020 and September 2024 under three prime ministers, returned to the government as Justice Minister – the post that had seemed destined for Bertrand.
Bruno Retailleau, a conservative who has vowed to crack down on illegal immigration, retains his post as Interior Minister.
Bayrou also promised to not use the controversial 49.3 article of the French Constitution which allows the government to bypass MPs in parliament unless he was completely blocked. He told the interviewers that he did not want to slap new taxes on businesses but conceded the country's deficits had to be addressed.
Named by President Emmanuel Macron on 13 December to replace Michel Barnier, Bayrou will head the fourth government of the year.
Criticisms
The leader of the National Rally, Jordan Bardella, accused him of having formed the coalition of failure.
Marine Tondelier, the Green Party chief, condemned him for placing himself in the hands of the far right.
The leader of the France Unbowed (LFI) MPs, Mathilde Panot, said: "It is a government filled with people rejected at the ballot box who have contributed to sinking our country ... with the support of Marine Le Pen and the National Rally."
Right-wing LR members of parliament have said they will not rule out withdrawing their support for Bayrou's government. "We will be very demanding," added LR's Laurent Wauquiez.
The government will meet for the first time on 3 January and Bayrou is expected to give a policy speech to parliament on 14 January.
LFI MPs say they will table a motion of no confidence against Bayrou and his government as soon as possible.
