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– François Bayrou was appointed Prime Minister by Emmanuel Macron.
Emmanuel Macron has decided: it is François Bayrou who was appointed Prime Minister this Friday, December 13, thus turning a new page for the government. Aged 73, the president of the MoDem succeeds Michel Barnier, overthrown by a motion of censure and resigning since December 5, after ensuring the “current affairs” for a few days. “The President of the Republic appointed Mr. François Bayrou Prime Minister, and tasked him with forming a government,” indicated the Elysée in a press release. The current mayor of Pau will have the difficult task of forming a government capable of surviving the threat of censorship from a National Assembly without a majority bloc, and of having a budget adopted which France is currently deprived of for 2025.
In recent days, Emmanuel Macron has increased his consultations. François Bayrou was the big favorite. Among the potential candidates, the former Prime Minister of François Hollande, Bernard Cazeneuve and more recently the former Minister of Industry, Roland Lescure, were for a time considered. The transfer of power between François Bayrou and his predecessor, Michel Barnier, should take place during the day in Matignon. As soon as he takes office, the centrist will benefit from all the benefits allocated to the Prime Minister, starting with the salary.
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More than 16,000 euros gross monthly remuneration
The remuneration of the head of government is governed by decree no. 2012-938 dated August 23, 2012 relating to the treatment of the President of the Republic and members of the government. In 2012, François Hollande, then President of the Republic, decided to withdraw the equivalent of 30% of the salaries of members of the government. The President, the Prime Minister and his team are in fact remunerated on the basis of the same calculation as civil service agents. Their basic treatment varies depending on the index point. The last revaluation dates from January 1, 2024.
The monthly gross salary of the Prime Minister is determined by Decree No. 85-1148 of October 24, 1985 as amended. The head of government touches 12,457 euros gross processingwhich corresponds to twice the average of the lowest salary and the highest salary in the category of State jobs classified “off scale”. Everything is increased by 5%.
Prime Minister: role, appointment and powers
To this sum is added a residence allowance equal to 3% of the monthly gross salary, which corresponds to 373 euros. Finally, a function allowance equal to 25% of the sum of the gross salary and the residence allowance must be added to the previous amounts. This corresponds to 3 207 euros. In total, we obtain 16 038 euros gross per month. This is the same amount as the remuneration of the President of the Republic.
Additional benefits granted to the Prime Minister
Becoming Prime Minister also entitles you to benefits in kind. The head of government can benefit from official accommodation: the Hôtel de Matignon, located in the 7th arrondissement of Paris. A second residence is made available to him. This is the Château de Souzy-la-Briche, located in Essonne. The Prime Minister’s representation expenses are covered by the State provided that they are “directly linked to the exercise of ministerial functions”. This is particularly the case for travel, receptions and official events. Ministers have an allocation for representation expenses of 150,000 euros, specifies the government in a response to the National Assembly dating from 17 mars 2020.
Furthermore, even after the end of their functions, the Prime Minister continues to receive his remuneration for three months unless he has resumed paid activity before the end of the period or has not made his final declaration to the High Authority for the transparency of public life (HATVP). Decree No. 2019-973 of September 20, 2019 relating to the situation of former Prime Ministers specifies that former heads of government can continue to benefit from a private secretary paid by the State for a maximum period of ten years and up to until they reach the age of 67.
Salaries and wages: definition, calculation and taxation
François Bayrou will not be able to benefit from it given that the new head of government is already 73 years old. A company car with driver is granted to them without time limit. Former Prime Ministers as well as former State Ministers (Interior, Foreign Affairs, Justice and Defence) can also request police protection for security reasons provided by the National Police Protection Service (SDLP).
