This Thursday, December 19, the new Prime Minister François Bayrou gave his first television interview on France 2, on the program "The Event, the interview"Barely a week after his appointment to Matignon, he addressed several burning issues, ranging from the reconstruction of Mayotte to the formation of a government and the budgetary issues of 2025. Here are the key points.
Reconstruction in Mayotte: a national emergency
Mayotte, devastated by Cyclone Chido, is facing one of the worst natural disasters in the country's recent history. With 31 confirmed victims and many people still missing, particularly in shanty towns, the island is in critical condition. François Bayrou has promised a rapid reconstruction, hoping that this could be accomplished in two years, much faster than the five years needed to rehabilitate Notre-Dame de Paris.
Government to be formed before Christmas
François Bayrou announced his intention to present a government by the weekend, at the latest before Christmas. He called for national unity to overcome the current crises, insisting on the need for collaboration between the different political forces. He also promised to maintain a dialogue with the parties not invited to the cross-party meeting, notably La France Insoumise (LFI) and the National Rally (RN).
Pensions: an open door to discussion
The 2023 pension reform remains a major sticking point. Bayrou has proposed reopening discussions for nine months while maintaining the changes already voted on. He raised the possibility of an alternative to the retirement age of 64, insisting on the need to reform in a balanced way while avoiding overburdening future generations. "It is normal that those who do difficult jobs can leave earlier," he said.
A budget expected in mid-February 2025
The rejection of the 2025 budget by the National Assembly in December leaves France without a clear financial plan, a first in 65 years. Bayrou hopes to adopt the new budget by mid-February. He announced a "rebalancing plan" aimed at returning public finances to balance within the next ten years. Although determined to avoid excessive tax increases, he stressed the need to "make savings" and "better organize the central state."
Use of 49.3: a measured approach
Bayrou promised to limit the use of Article 49.3, only considering it in the event of an "absolute deadlock" on the budget. "I want as much dialogue as possible," he said, while acknowledging that this tool could be necessary in a context of relative majority.
A word about Nicolas Sarkozy and Gisèle Pelicot
Asked about the conviction of Nicolas SarkozyBayrou expressed his "sorrow" for the former president and his family. Regarding Gisèle Pelicot, a victim of extreme domestic violence, he praised her exceptional courage, saying: "She dared to face the absolute horror for others."
François Bayrou ended on a note of cautious optimism, calling on the parties to collaborate in the face of challenges he called "the last stop before the cliff." With humanitarian, economic and social emergencies, the prime minister hopes to convince a fractured political class to unite in the general interest.
