Around François Bayrou, tongues are loosening. The French prime minister, mired in a political and economic upheaval of his own making after announcing on Monday, August 25, that he would seek a vote of confidence in the Assemblée Nationale on September 8, now faces criticism of his approach. A wave of doubt and even disapproval has spread through the government and among lawmakers, who still do not fully grasp the consequences this decision may have on the remainder of President Emmanuel Macron’s five-year term.
“François Bayrou is continuing his mission, which is to explain to the French people why he made this decision… a decision that is rather strange and unexpected,” said government spokesperson Sophie Primas, speaking on television channel TF1 on Wednesday. Like almost all ministers, the right-wing Les Républicains lawmaker was kept in the dark about this dramatic decision, made by the prime minister at the height of summer. “It was a deliberate choice to create a surprise. There is something a bit brash about him. The man has pride,” observed another minister.
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