France Forms New Cabinet, Faces Renewed No-Confidence Pressure from Opposition

The government of Fran?ois Bayrou in France officially took office on the 24th (local time), but already the opposition has begun to pressure for a vote of no confidence.

President Emmanuel Macron approved the list of 35 ministers proposed by Prime Minister Bayrou the previous evening.

Nineteen individuals who held positions in the previous Michel Barnier government continued to participate in the Bayrou government, maintaining the same roles except for some personnel changes. Eight former ministers also joined the Bayrou government.

After announcing the list, Prime Minister Bayrou emphasized that the appointments were based on experience and vowed that the new government would avoid a vote of no confidence in parliament like the previous administration.

However, the opposition, especially the left-wing camp, opposed Bayrou’s cabinet, which was composed mainly of pro-government and right-wing Republican figures similar to the previous Barnier government, and announced plans to challenge the government again with a vote of no confidence.

Among those included in the Bayrou government were three former Socialist Party members, including Minister Valls, but all of them have effectively severed ties with the current Socialist Party, leading to criticism that the government is deceiving the left.

Fran?ois Bayrou, the new Prime Minister of France. Photo by Yonhap News

According to the daily Le Monde, Emmanuel Gr?goire, a Socialist Party member of the National Assembly, pointed out, "As a result of prioritizing heavyweight figures, a right-wing imbalance has occurred in key positions."

Sandrine Rousseau, a Green Party member of the National Assembly, posted on X (formerly Twitter), "The only environmental policy of the new government is recycling former ministers."

Mathilde Panot, parliamentary leader of the far-left LFI (La France Insoumise), also wrote on X, "A government filled with people rejected by the public in the vote and who contributed to sinking our country," warning, "The only future for this government is a vote of no confidence."

She added, "With Bayrou’s downfall, President Macron’s resignation will also be inevitable."