On January 3, 2025, the new government of François Bayrou will have its first complete meeting, 11 days after its formation. The day will begin with a breakfast hosted by Interior Minister Bruno Retailleau at Place Beauvau, followed by a council of ministers at the Elysée with President Emmanuel Macron. This will be followed by a defense council meeting focused on the situation in Mayotte, two and a half weeks after the devastating cyclone Chido hit the region.
The agenda for this first meeting of the year was uncertain until the last moment, with the presentation of the emergency law for Mayotte initially scheduled but later postponed to the following week. During the council meeting, François Bayrou is expected to outline his method, which involves adding more detail and specificity to public policies. The main challenge for Bayrou remains economic and budgetary, as France has been without a budget since the censure of Michel Barnier’s government. Since January 1st, the country has been operating under a minimalist “special law” that allows the new team to collect taxes and spend the same amount as in 2024, without the new measures proposed in the draft budget.
One of the key issues facing the new government is the need to pass a budget for 2025. While civil servants continue to be paid, urgency surrounds the approval of a budget to ensure the functioning of essential services. François Bayrou’s team will need to navigate the economic and budgetary challenges carefully in order to achieve stability and implement their policy objectives. The government’s approach will likely focus on building consensus and finding practical solutions to address pressing issues facing the country.
The situation in Mayotte, following the cyclone Chido, will be a priority for the government as they work to assess the damage and provide support to the affected populations. The defense council meeting will be crucial in coordinating the response efforts and ensuring that necessary resources are allocated to assist with recovery and reconstruction. The government’s ability to effectively respond to this crisis will be a test of their leadership and capacity to manage emergencies.
The government’s focus on bringing more detail and concrete measures to public policies reflects a commitment to ensuring that government actions are effective and relevant to the needs of the population. By emphasizing transparency and efficiency in policymaking, the new government aims to rebuild trust with the public and demonstrate their ability to address complex challenges. The upcoming meetings and decisions made by François Bayrou’s government will set the tone for their term in office, shaping the trajectory of their administration and the direction of the country’s policies and priorities.
