François Bayrou, Prime Minister for several weeks, gave an interview to BFMTV on Monday evening, a few hours after his government's announcement. The opportunity to clarify your priorities and respond to the first controversies. “I am convinced that the action that I define before you and the government team will ensure that we will not be censored,” he said on the set of our colleagues.
A “sort of vote of confidence” in the Assembly
François Bayrou announced that he would not seek a vote of confidence from the National Assembly after his general policy speech scheduled for January 14, 2025. “In the wake of this declaration, there will be a sort of vote of confidence because “There will probably be a motion of censure,” he explained.
He claims to respect the political forces who refuse to support his government: “I respect the fact that political forces do not want to be assimilated against their will into government policy. » A position which already seems confirmed by La France insoumise, which announced its intention to table a motion of censure.
Immigration, priority to the application of existing laws
François Bayrou also addressed the sensitive issue of immigration, rejecting the idea of legislating with a “big law” which he considers ineffective. “No major law intended to, in fact, communicate,” he declared, preferring a pragmatic approach. “Priority to the execution and application of the measures that have been voted on,” he added.
Bayrou spoke of the need to strengthen diplomatic pressure on countries which refuse to readmit their nationals under an obligation to leave French territory (OQTF). “We need to create tension with the countries that refuse,” said the Prime Minister, emphasizing a desire to act on concrete points rather than multiplying legislative announcements.
Pension reform and public finances
Asked about the 2023 pension reform, François Bayrou clearly ruled out suspending or freezing this measure, despite pressing calls from the left. “No, I won’t do that. What world do they live in? “, he replied, referring to the economic and financial consequences of such decisions.
He recalled the importance of maintaining France's budgetary credibility with the rating agencies: “If their ratings are not good, then interest rates explode. » However, the Prime Minister appeared open to dialogue, proposing a period of nine months to discuss the necessary adjustments. He said he was ready to reduce this deadline to six months if a compromise was reached quickly. He also called for a return to the public deficit objective “around” 5% or “a little more” in 2025.
No influence from the National Rally
Faced with criticism from the opposition, which points to a possible influence of the National Rally in the composition of its government, François Bayrou firmly denied any link or influence. “It is not true that any influence whatsoever was exerted on me,” he insisted, affirming that he had not spoken to Marine Le Pen. He justified the non-appointment of Xavier Bertrand, initially considered for Justice, by political differences on the vision of this ministry. “His approach at the Department of Justice was not mine,” he said.
The Prime Minister also admitted that “no party” is satisfied with the composition of the government, but he defended a “Gaullist” approach where this role falls to the Prime Minister, and not to the parties. “Political parties should not be those who form governments,” he recalled.
Overseas, a challenge for Manuel Valls
François Bayrou returned to the appointment of Manuel Valls as Minister of State for Overseas Territories, a complex portfolio. He hailed him as a “daring” and “a bit of a kamikaze at times” personality. Valls will have to manage the situation in Mayotte, recently affected by Cyclone Chido, as well as the tensions linked to the cost of living and inflation in the overseas departments.
Furthermore, François Bayrou declared that the death toll caused by Cyclone Chido in Mayotte would be much lower than the alarmist figures initially mentioned. According to him, the number of deaths would be in “tens” and not in “thousands”, with a provisional toll established at 35 deaths. He also expressed his hope that the most worrying predictions would not be confirmed.
