French President Emmanuel Macron on Friday named centrist ally Francois Bayrou as prime minister, after a historic parliamentary vote ousted the previous government last week.
Bayrou, 73, a crucial partner in Macron’s centrist alliance, has been a well-known figure in French politics for decades. His political experience is seen as key in efforts to restore stability as no single party holds a majority at the National Assembly.
Bayrou was recently cleared in a case alleging embezzlement of European Parliament funds.
Macron vowed last week to remain in office until his term ends in 2027.
During the handover ceremony, Bayrou said that “no one knows the difficulty of the situation better” than he does.
“I’ve taken reckless risks all along my political life to raise the issue of debt and deficits in the most important elections,” he said.
France is under pressure from the European Union’s executive body and financial markets to reduce its colossal debt, estimated to reach 6% of its gross domestic product this year.
“I know that the risks of difficulties are much greater than the chances of success,” Bayrou said, adding that he hopes to lead the country towards a “needed reconciliation.”
“I think this is the only possible path to success,” he said.
Bayrou is expected to hold talks with political leaders from various parties in the coming days in order to choose new ministers.
The task before him is challenging as Macron’s centrist alliance does not have a majority in parliament and Bayrou’s Cabinet will need to rely on moderate lawmakers from both the left and right to be able to stay in power.
Some conservatives are expected to be part of the new government.