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France: Bayrou announces his government team, amid reconfirmations and new appointments

The new French government, led by Bayrou, features familiar faces and some new ones. Criticism from oppositions for the composition of the executive

François Bayrou, French premier, today presented the new government team, composed of reconfirmed ministers and new figures. Among those reappointed are Bruno Retailleau at Interior, Rachida Dati at Culture, Sébastien Lecornu at Defense, and Jean-Noël Barrot at Foreign Affairs. New appointments include Catherine Vautrin, who takes over as Minister of Labor and Health, and Éric Lombard, who takes over from Antoine Armand at the Ministry of Economy.

The announcement of the new executive came late this afternoon, followed by the first handover of power this evening between Armand and Lombard. Bayrou described his government as “an experienced team to reconcile and rebuild trust with all the French people.” The first Council of Ministers is scheduled for January 3.

There has been no shortage of criticism from oppositions. Jordan Bardella, leader of the Rassemblement National, called the new executive “the coalition of failure,” while Olivier Faure, leader of the Socialist Party, labeled it an “extreme right-wing” government. Fabien Roussel of the French Communist Party also expressed disappointment, arguing that the new government still follows in the footsteps of Emmanuel Macron and Les Républicains.

The negative reactions from the political left underscore the tension around the new executive, in which several prominent figures from Michel Barnier’s previous administration were reappointed.

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