France's Macron names veteran centrist ally as prime minister

French President Emmanuel Macron on Dec 13 named Mr Francois Bayrou his fourth prime minister of 2024, tasking the veteran centrist with steering the country out of its second major political crisis in the last six months.

PARIS -

The priority for Mr Bayrou, a close Macron ally, will be passing a special law to roll over the 2024 budget, with a nastier battle over the 2025 legislation looming early in the new year. Parliamentary pushback over the 2025 Bill led to the downfall of former prime minister Michel Barnier's government.

Mr Bayrou, 73, is expected to put forward his list of ministers in the coming days, but will likely face the same difficulties as Mr Barnier in steering legislation through a hung Parliament comprising three warring blocs. His proximity to the deeply unpopular Mr Macron will also prove a vulnerability.

Mr Jordan Bardella, president of the far-right National Rally (RN) party, said it would not be calling for an immediate no-confidence motion, while fellow RN leader Marine Le Pen said Mr Bayrou should listen to the opposition's budgetary wishes.

Reaction to Mr Bayrou's appointment on the left was more mixed.

Communist leader Fabien Roussel said his party would hold fire against Mr Bayrou, as long as he did not ram through legislation.