The ministers of the new French government officially take office this Tuesday, December 24, 2024, in an already tense atmosphere. Barely announced, the composition of the team led by Prime Minister François Bayrou is already at the heart of controversies, in particular over its supposed dependence on the goodwill of the far right. He could be targeted by motions of censure.
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Centrist leader François Bayrou, aged 73, sought to appease the spirits upon the government’s announcement on Monday evening, December 23, declaring: “ I am convinced that the action that I define before you and the government team will ensure that we will not be censored. » But the challenge is significant. François Bayrou is the fourth Prime Minister in 2024 and his predecessor only lasted three months, marking unprecedented political instability in France since the establishment of the Fifth Republic in 1958.
The Socialist Party, through its first secretary Olivier Faure, was quick to react. “ None of the conditions of the non-censorship pact were respected in the composition of the new government », affirmed the leader of the PS, who does not rule out voting for a motion of censure as soon as the general policy declaration is scheduled for January 14.
Also readFrance: the left and the far right are up in arms after the Bayrou government’s announcement
A divisive appointment: Gérald Darmanin to Justice
Three months after leaving the Interior, Gerald Darmanin returned to the government, also with the rank of Minister of State, in charge of another sovereign portfolio, Justice. This position was initially offered by Mr. Bayrou to Xavier Bertrand. The arrival of Gérald Darmanin at Place Vendôme arouses strong reactions, particularly from feminist associations. This is due to the accusations of rape and sexual harassment which had targeted the former Minister of the Interior in 2018, although the complaint was dismissed in 2020. He would himself be responsible for the legislative repression of the facts which are blamed.
Feminist activist Constance Villanova is among his critics.
Feminist activist Constance Villanova reacts to the appointment of Gérald Darmanin
Reaction also from Emmanuelle, activist of the feminist association “ We all », at the microphone of Théo Prouvost.
FRANCE _Son Emmanuelle, activist all of us on the nomination of Darmanin – 2 p.m.
Political criticism from all sides
The composition of the government does not only make feminists react. Olivier Faure described the team as “ provocation ”, denouncing a “ extreme right-wing government “.
The leader of the far right Marine Le Pen, for her part, assured in a video message published on the social network the French would soon, very soon, at worst in a few months, be forced to choose a new path. »
As for Laurent Wauquiez, of the Republicans, he spoke of support “ very demanding ” has François Bayrou. The figure of the traditional right suggested that this support could be withdrawn depending on the directions displayed.
A government in search of stability, ex-Prime Ministers drafted
The first Council of Ministers is scheduled for January 3, after the end-of-year holidays. The Bayrou team has 35 members, fewer than that of Michel Barnier, which had 42, but it remains marked by a certain continuity with 19 ministers reappointed.
Among them, two former Prime Ministers: Élisabeth Borne and Manuel Vallsappointed Ministers of State, respectively in charge of National Education and Overseas Territories. Elisabeth Bornewho left Matignon in January, will have National Education, Higher Education and Research in his portfolio. Faced with her new responsibilities, she admitted: “ I am the sixth minister to be appointed in just over two and a half years. I measure the difficulties and the expectations,” she further underlined, emphasizing the importance of “ put a stop to the rise of incivility, insults and even violence in our establishments » and « attacks on secularism in our schools », notes our journalist rue de Grenelle Urien Tomaka.
Handover of Élisabeth Borne
The Minister of the Economy Éric Lombard, for his part, insisted on the need to address the “ endemic disease » what is the public deficit. He thus announced the color for the coming months where the passage of the budget for 2025 will be a priority for the new government.
It remains to be seen whether this team will manage to hold on in the face of the numerous criticisms and the instability which has shaken the executive for several months.
Also readFrance: Élisabeth Borne, Manuel Valls, Gérald Darmanin… the government of François Bayrou revealed