The new government's priorities under François Bayrou are to adopt the 2025 budget and reduce the public deficit.
ADVERTISEMENT
French President Emmanuel Marcon called for boldness at the first Council of Ministers meeting held by François Bayrou's new government, while the new Prime Minister insisted there is a path out of the period of instability the country currently faces.
As is the tradition at the start of the new year, the ministers first met at the Ministry of the Interior for a breakfast.
The 35 ministers then crossed the street in close ranks to join Emmanuel Macron at the Élysée Palace.
"This government was born in the turmoil of a major political crisis. You know the picture: censure, the breakdown of majorities, the rise of extremes," declared government spokeswoman Sophie Primas at a press conference.
She called on "everyone" to "shoulder their responsibilities" and "move away from inflexible positions" in favour of "demanding" and "going beyond", rather than "obstructing".
Budget vote
The government's priority is to adopt the 2025 budget.
The rating agencies, financial markets and the European Commission are also urging France to reduce its deficit in order to comply with EU rules on budgetary discipline.
The Stability and Growth Pact sets the debt ceiling at 60% of GDP and a public deficit ceiling at 3% of GDP.
The public deficit was 6.1% of GDP in 2024, and the government's target is to reduce it to 5.4% of GDP in 2025. The previous, and more ambitious target set by former Prime Minister Michel Barnier, was 5% in 2025.
Mayotte, devastated by cyclone Chido, is also awaiting a bill promised by François Bayrou earlier this week.
Emmanuel Macron appointed François Bayrou as the new Prime Minister on 13 December 2024, and tasked him with forming a new government. The composition of the government was announced on 23 December 2024.
Michel Barnier's previous government was toppled on 4 December following the adoption of a motion of censure in the National Assembly.