PARIS — French Prime Minister François Bayrou’s efforts to engage the far-right National Rally in a bid to avert the collapse of his government have proven unsuccessful, according to party President Jordan Bardella. Following a meeting with Bayrou, Bardella stated, “The miracle did not happen; the meeting today will not change the position of the National Rally.”
Bayrou’s budget cuts face fierce opposition
Bardella expressed that Bayrou’s budget proposals, which include a controversial €43.8 billion budget squeeze, overstepped the party’s limits. The National Rally contends that Bayrou’s plan fails to adequately address expenditures related to immigration and the implications of European Union membership.
Marine Le Pen, a prominent figure in the National Rally, reinforced this sentiment, declaring, “If the question is: Do we have confidence in this government? The answer is no, we don’t.”
Political negotiations amid uncertainty
This week, Bayrou has engaged with various political factions in an attempt to forge consensus. However, following his announcement of an impending confidence vote, opposition parties swiftly indicated their intentions to vote against his minority government, leaving Bayrou with limited prospects for continued leadership.
According to Le Pen, it is apparent that Bayrou recognizes the precariousness of his position. She remarked, “He chose to hit the eject button and then lead consultations. If he really wanted to talk in earnest, he would have started negotiations as early as July.”
In the event of Bayrou’s potential downfall, the path forward for French President Emmanuel Macron remains uncertain. Opposition parties have shown little willingness to endorse the budget cuts necessary to address France’s fiscal challenges and rising concerns over excessive public spending within the eurozone’s second-largest economy.
Reports suggest that Macron has begun consultations regarding possible successors for Bayrou, as several names circulate in the media, including Defense Minister Sébastien Lecornu, Justice Minister Gérald Darmanin, and Economy and Finance Minister Éric Lombard. According to an ally of Macron, “He’s trying to walk a tightrope” to find a new prime minister capable of passing the budget while avoiding a similar fate.
However, Le Pen has cast doubt on the likelihood of reaching a satisfactory agreement with any future prime minister endorsed by Macron, asserting that “it’s Emmanuel Macron’s policies that are toxic.” She added that Bayrou’s successor would need to “break” with Macron’s approach to ensure a stable tenure.
Sarah Paillou contributed to this report.