François Bayrou Named Prime Minister After Mixed Record at Planning Agency

Bayrou, former head of the Haut-commissariat au Plan, faces scrutiny over the agency's limited impact as he steps into his new role.

François Bayrou, leader of the MoDem party and former mayor of Pau, has been appointed as France's new Prime Minister by President Emmanuel Macron.
Bayrou previously led the Haut-commissariat au Plan, an agency tasked with long-term strategic planning, from its creation in 2020 until his recent promotion.
The Haut-commissariat faced criticism for its limited influence on public policy, with some senators labeling it a 'shell' organization and questioning its effectiveness.
Despite its modest budget of €350,000 and Bayrou serving without remuneration, the agency's contributions were seen as falling short of expectations set during its establishment.
Bayrou now faces significant political challenges, including forming a cohesive government and addressing calls for policy shifts from opposition parties.