The new French government, led by Prime Minister François Bayrou, is set to hold its inaugural meeting on Friday, January 3, at the Élysée Palace.
The session, scheduled for 10 a.m., will include President Emmanuel Macron. Before the meeting, ministers will gather for a traditional “post-holiday” breakfast at the Ministry of the Interior.
A central focus of the meeting will be the government’s policy declaration, which Bayrou plans to present to parliament on January 14. This declaration is expected to outline the administration’s priorities and address pressing challenges, including the negotiation of the 2025 budget. Ensuring support from parliament will be critical, as Macron’s allies lack a majority—a factor that contributed to the downfall of the previous government under Michel Barnier.
Ahead of the session, Bayrou held extensive discussions with ministers and spent over two hours in a working lunch with Macron on Thursday to strategize and prepare for the policy rollout.
This first meeting marks a pivotal step for the new government as it seeks to navigate significant political and economic hurdles while fostering cooperation in a divided parliament.
