French Prime Minister François Bayrou announced a new government on Monday, attempting to bridge a fractured parliament while introducing meaningful reforms.
Even before its official announcement, the newly unveiled administration has faced criticism, particularly for conceding to far-right demands. Bayrou’s cabinet features a blend of new faces and figures from Michel Barnier’s short-lived government, leaning heavily on centrist and conservative ministers for key roles.
Bayrou, 73, a veteran of French centrism and a close ally of President Emmanuel Macron, persuaded Macron to appoint him as France’s fourth prime minister in a year. Despite his pledge to unite the nation, Bayrou’s early days in office have been contentious. Efforts to bring opposition groups on board have largely failed, leaving his government in a precarious position.
One notable controversy involved Xavier Bertrand, a conservative rival of far-right leader Marine Le Pen. Bertrand turned down an offer to serve as justice minister, citing disagreements with the National Rally’s influence.
The Bayrou government’s key figures include:
Jean-Noël Barrot as Foreign Affairs Minister
Sébastien Lecornu as Defense Minister
Eric Lombard as Economy and Finance Minister
Marc Ferracci as Junior Minister for Industry and Energy
Clara Chappaz as Junior Minister for AI and Technology
Bayrou’s inability to secure Socialist Party support has left him leading a minority government, similar to his predecessor Barnier. His immediate priorities include passing a budget by mid-February and navigating a divided legislature where no single party holds a majority.
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Apple is facing a £3 billion lawsuit in the United Kingdom after a competition tribunal approved a major collective action over its iCloud storage service.
Amnesty International has accused the European Union of being complicit in human rights abuses after authorities in eastern and western Libya intensified a crackdown on migrants and refugees through mass arrests, detentions and expulsions.
Belgium has issued 24-hour visas to a Taliban delegation attending European Union migration talks in Brussels, as EU member states explore ways to return some Afghans convicted of serious crimes or considered security threats.
Peter Murrell, the former chief executive of Scotland's governing Scottish National Party (SNP), has been jailed for five years and three months after admitting to embezzling more than £400,000 from the party over a 13-year period
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