After finally revealing the list of his government team this Monday, December 23, the Prime Minister justified his choices and outlined the broad outlines of his action at the head of government.
This Monday, December 23, the Bayrou government's list was finally revealed. 35 ministers were appointed, many of them from Macronist ranks. 14 of them held the same position in the Barnier government, five changed portfolios. The Bayrou government also has many returnees, including the former Minister of the Interior Gérald Darmanin and two former Prime Ministers, Elisabeth Borne or even – this is the surprise of the leader – Manuel Valls, back in business at the head of the Ministry of Overseas Territories. This Monday evening, François Bayrou went to provide after-sales service on BFMTV during a long interview with the channel's two star journalists, Apolline de Malherbe and Benjamin Duhamel. Liberation summarizes the interview for you.
No “influence of the RN” on the composition of the government
François Bayrou wants to tell his version of the facts about the absence of Xavier Bertrand in his ministerial team. A little earlier in the day, the LR boss of the Hauts-de-France region had claimed to have been ousted from the Ministry of Justice under pressure from Marine Le Pen. “First of all, it is not true that any influence whatsoever was exerted on me, begins François Bayrou. I suggested to Xavier Bertrand that he join the government in a very important ministry and he told me that he only wanted Justice. He explained to me his views on the Ministry of Justice and I did not identify with them. I said “we'll try” and as I thought about it I realized where the points of divergence were. He proposed an approach that I found violent, […] that fines be directly billed and paid through salary deduction. I find that we cannot tackle the question of civics like that and therefore I found that his approach was not mine. It has nothing to do with a distrust of Marine Le Pen, it has to do with me. He is disappointed not to have entered the government.” Conclusion: François Bayrou refutes all «influence» of the RN on the composition of its government.
Manuel Valls, “a somewhat kamikaze personality”
Manuel Valls, former Prime Minister of François Hollande and appointed overseas, is “a bit of a kamikaze personality”started fissa François Bayrou. “I like daring personalities or those who agree to take risks, said the Prime Minister. He is a personality for whom I have respect but above all I consider that one of the heaviest issues for the country is overseas.” A little later, François Bayrou corrects himself, aware of the meaning of the ambivalence of the word «kamikaze» : “Manuel Valls is a personality who does not fear risk, I should have said it like that.”
No confrontation with Emmanuel Macron
François Bayrou refuses to enter “the little game of confrontation” with Emmanuel Macron. Regarding the conditions of his appointment to Matignon, the Prime Minister wanted to provide some details. “I know my phrasing is slow, but those who listen to us like this hear well [ce que je vais dire] : Emmanuel thought I was not best suited for the role. I always thought that I would only be asked to take on this role when things were going very badly. I think I convinced him.” On the subject of their relationship at the head of the executive, the Prime Minister refuses to enter “in the little game of confrontation” who would be “sterile” with Emmanuel Macron. “I have spoken with the President of the Republic about three times a week since the first day of our alliance. He is a courageous personality who faces problems. Few presidents of the Republic have had to face so many stunts and dramas.”
Motion of censure and 49.3
François Bayrou “persuaded” that his government will not be censored. “I am convinced that the action that I define before you and the government team will ensure that we will not be censored”he declared. François Bayrou indicated that he would not seek the confidence of the Assembly at the end of his general policy declaration, scheduled for January 14. The Prime Minister referred to a probable motion of censure tabled by the opposition (La France insoumise has already announced its intention to table a motion of censure). Furthermore, the Prime Minister promises to only use 49.3 in “last extremity” and only in case of “blocking”. He indicates that he will only use this article of the Constitution “on budget” and not for “other texts”. His a l’intention “to get to the end of the debates. I am part of this mainstream movement that loves democracy in Parliament. The conflicts that arise in Parliament are conflicts that do not break out in the streets.”
No suspension or freezing of the 2023 pension reform
The Prime Minister said on Monday that he refused to suspend or freeze the 2023 pension reform, as requested by the left, after proposing on Thursday to political forces to reopen a discussion on this reform for nine months. “No, I won’t do that. What world do they live in? Do they know that France is being observed, scrutinized by what we call agencies? rating, “what if [leurs] grades are not good, so interest rates are exploding? justified the Prime Minister. “There are all possible compromises. If it exists, I'm ready.”added François Bayrou, who also said he “ready” to reduce the discussion period to nine “at six months”.
No major immigration law
François Bayrou explained that he did not want “of great law” on immigration which he judges “intended to, in fact, communicate”. “Priority to the execution and application of the measures which have been voted on”declared the Prime Minister. “And then, I discussed that with Bruno Retailleau: no major law intended to, in fact, communicate. Let's take the problems one by one, including through legislative proposals from the assemblies. he added. François Bayrou said he deplored that “almost none” obligation to leave French territory (OQTF) is executed and wish to proceed with “a tension with the countries which refuse” to readmit their nationals subject to an OQTF.
