In Bayrou's words

 

French PM Bayrou defends his government in television interview, as criticisms abound

An hour after the spokesperson of the Elysée Palace announced the details of the new government formed by the new Prime minister François Bayrou, the ally of Emmanuel Macron went live on television to defend a cabinet already under fire as France's political crisis deepens.

In a 30-minute-long interview with journalists Apolline de Malherbe and Benjamin Duhamel on BMF TV, François Bayrou said his government was "the future", adding the first of all the ministers will be Education, with former Prime minister Elisabeth Borne at his head and Philippe Baptiste at he head of Research.

Bayrou praised his skills and promised improvement for the education system.

The new Prime minister also insisted on the vital role that former Socialist and former PM Manuel Valls will have as Overseas territory minister, while the crisis in Mayotte has marred the year 2024 and picked with the recent Cyclone Chido.

"If we want to fight the immense problems France face at the moment, we cannot let disagreements rule", Bayrou said, positioning himself as the representative of the centre of the political spectrum.

He vowed to overcome party divisions to answer French voters's worries, notably on security issues, he said.

Bayrou denied any "influence" from the National Rally on the composition of his government.

The discussion lingered on the role of the Justice and Interior minister and France's justice system.

Bayrou, as named by French President Emmanuel Macron, will head the fourth government of the year, hoping to drag the second-largest EU economy out of a deep political and financial crisis.

Criticisms

The leader of the National Rally, Jordan Bardella, has accused Bayrou of having "formed the coalition of failure."

The leader of the Green Party, Marine Tondelier, condemned the "indignity" of the Prime Minister, "who places himself in the hands of the far right."

The leader of the France Unbowed (LFI) MPs, Mathilde Panot, mocked "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" to Bayrou's government, as they will be "very demanding," according to Laurent Wauquiez, representative for this group.

The government will meet for the first time on 3 January at 10am Paris time, and Bayrou is expected to give a policy speech to parliament on 14 January.

The left-wing party LFI has vowed to table a motion of no confidence against him and his government as soon as possible.

The main uncertainty will be around the reaction of the far-right, which holds almost 30 percent of the seats at the French National Assembly.