French Prime Minister Francois Bayrou said he aimed to reach an agreement with parliament on a 2025 budget that would reduce the country’s deficit to close to 5%, near the level his predecessor unsuccessfully tried to reach.

The critical task of delivering a budget plan for next year falls to Eric Lombard, the new economy minister. Former Prime Minister Michel Barnier's move to push through a cost-cutting budget led to his ouster.

Francois Bayrou is the new prime minister of France following Michel Barnier's resignation. The centrist politician met President Emmanuel Macron at the Elysee Palace early this morning.

He signs off with: "Long live the republic, long live France." President Emmanuel Macron is addressing the nation following the resignation of the French prime minister. He thanks Michel Barnier ...

France's new prime minister, Francois Bayrou, said on Thursday he hoped to have a budget ready by mid-February, as he battles to avoid the fate of his predecessor Michel Barnier, whose government collapsed amid opposition to his budget measures.

Bayrou has only two viable political paths ahead : Either get some tacit support from Le Pen's troops, or fracture the leftwing bloc and get tacit support from its more moderate wing, namely the Socialists.

A centrist ally of President Emmanuel Macron, François Bayrou is tasked with succeeding where short-lived prime minister Michel Barnier failed. Any budget will have to shore up France's shaky finances without triggering further censure from the far right or the leftover spending cuts and tax rises to reduce the deficit.

New French prime minister promises to present a budget in February, offers to review controversial pensions reform.

French president Emmanuel Macron appointed the centrist Francois Bayrou as prime minister to address the country’s deep political crisis following the collapse of Michel Barnier’s government. Radio Schuman asks what will change in France with the appointment.

On Thursday, new French Prime Minister François Bayrou united party leaders to talk about shaping a new government. The broad scope of the meeting conveys Bayrou’s vision of a more centrist France — a feat in a country where political extremes tend to be the loudest voices in the room.

Bayrou’s decision to stay on as mayor of a small city has drawn controversy as he struggles to negotiate with opposition parties.

One of Macron’s earliest supporters, Bayrou’s robust profile allows him to set himself apart from the president.