French President Macron searches for a new Prime Minister following Bayrou's dismissal
Emmanuel Macron, the President of France, is set to make a critical decision in the coming days, as he prepares to appoint a new prime minister. This decision comes following the resignation of Prime Minister François Bayrou, who suffered a crushing loss in a confidence vote on Monday.
The vote in the National Assembly saw 364 deputies vote no confidence in the government, while 194 gave it their confidence. Bayrou is the sixth prime minister under Macron since his 2017 election, and the fifth since 2022.
Macron is considering appointing lower-profile cabinet members such as Health Minister Catherine Vautrin or Finance Minister Eric Lombard as the new prime minister. This move could be a strategic one, as heavyweight right-wing cabinet ministers, like Justice Minister Gerald Darmanin, are trusted by Macron but risk being voted out by the left.
The Socialist Party (PS), led by Olivier Faure, has expressed readiness to lead a new government. Faure stated that it is time for the left to govern France again. However, it is unclear whether a government led by Faure could survive, given the narrow margin of the vote in the National Assembly.
The political landscape in France is rapidly changing, with the 2027 presidential election looming on the horizon. Analysts predict that the French far-right will have its best-ever chance of winning, making Macron's choice of prime minister even more crucial.
This potential change in leadership comes after Marine Le Pen, a three-time presidential candidate for the National Rally (RN), suffered a blow in March. A French court convicted Le Pen and other party officials over an EU parliament fake jobs scam, sentencing her to four years' imprisonment, two of which were suspended, and banning her from standing for office for five years.
Meanwhile, the left-wing collective "Block Everything" is calling for a day of action on Wednesday, and trade unions have urged workers to strike on September 18. With 64% of the French population wanting Macron to resign instead of naming a new prime minister, according to a poll by Odoxa-Backbone for Le Figaro newspaper, the President faces significant domestic opposition.
However, Macron's resignation would trigger a presidential election, potentially resurrecting Le Pen's presidential hopes, given her recent conviction and subsequent ban from standing for office have been appealed and her hearing is scheduled from January 13 to February 12, 2026, which is before the 2027 presidential election.
The Eurasia Group risk analysis firm predicts Macron will move rapidly to replace Bayrou, but the President's choice of prime minister could shape the political landscape of France for years to come.
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