A week after the fall of the French government, President Emmanuel Macron has appointed François Bayrou as the country’s new prime minister. This appointment comes at a critical juncture as France faces political instability and mounting economic challenges.

Bayrou, 73, is the leader of the Mouvement Démocrate (Democratic Movement – MoDem) party, a centrist political group allied with Macron’s camp. He is also the mayor of Pau, a city in southern France, and is highly regarded by conservative factions. Known for his close ties with Macron, Bayrou is considered a trusted confidant of the president.

The announcement of Bayrou’s appointment followed a brief meeting with Macron at the Élysée Palace, which lasted less than two hours. The day before, the two had discussed the political situation over the phone. Macron’s entourage had earlier hinted that the new prime minister would be named on Friday morning.

Bayrou takes office amidst sharp political divisions in the National Assembly, where no party holds a majority. The assembly is currently split into three opposing blocs: The left-wing New Popular Front (NFP), Macron’s Centrist Coalition, and the right-wing National Rally (RN) and its allies.

The previous prime minister, Michel Barnier, was dismissed after failing to secure a quorum for the 2025 budget. Barnier’s tenure lasted only three months, highlighting the fragility of Macron’s government. The new head of government must now form an administration that can withstand potential votes of no confidence.

Bayrou’s appointment was met with mixed reactions. Conservatives expressed respect for Bayrou’s leadership and a willingness to cooperate. The Greens and Socialists criticized the decision, arguing that it signaled a continuation of existing policies rather than a fresh start.

Reports suggest that some conservatives and sections of the left have promised to tolerate the new government. However, if a broad coalition is not formed, a minority government would remain vulnerable to collapse.

Macron’s quick decision to appoint Bayrou is seen as a calculated risk. The president aims to stabilize the government and avert further political turmoil. Yet, opposition parties have escalated their criticism, with some even calling for Macron’s resignation.

France also faces mounting economic pressures, driven by excessive national debt. Observers suggest that fiscal discipline and strategic policymaking will be critical in navigating the ongoing challenges.

Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk has dismissed speculation about European countries preparing to deploy thousands of troops to Ukraine as part of a potential ceasefire agreement to end the ongoing war with Russia.

“I would like to put an end to speculation that troops from any country will be deployed in Ukraine following a potential peace agreement or in the event of a ceasefire,” Tusk stated during a press conference alongside French President Emmanuel Macron.

The statement followed a report by the Polish newspaper Rzeczpospolita on Wednesday, claiming that discussions were underway about sending a 40,000-strong international peacekeeping force to Ukraine. According to the report, the initiative was allegedly being considered by both Poland and France.

A European diplomat and a French official disclosed that Macron’s visit to Warsaw aimed to discuss the peacekeeping proposal with Tusk. However, the French President’s trip was cut short as France prepared to announce a new prime minister.

During the press conference, Macron confirmed that his discussions with Tusk primarily revolved around Ukraine and the “day after” the war. He did not, however, address the peacekeeping rumors directly and refrained from taking questions from the media.

“The [new] Trump administration has demonstrated a willingness to influence the conflict’s trajectory. We must work collaboratively with Ukraine and Europe, ensuring that the interests of both Europe and Ukraine are considered,” Macron remarked.

Macron’s swift visit to Poland occurred less than a week after he hosted U.S. President-elect Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. The leaders met in Paris ahead of the ceremonial reopening of Notre Dame Cathedral. During the meeting, Trump expressed his desire for an “immediate ceasefire” in Ukraine.

While some circles appear to support the idea of a European peacekeeping force, Tusk’s comments suggest that Poland is cautious about the proposal.

“We have discussed the matter, and any decisions on such actions will be made in Warsaw—and only in Warsaw,” Tusk emphasized. “At present, no such plans are under consideration.”

European NATO members are considering increasing the alliance’s defense spending target from 2% to 3% of GDP at next year’s annual summit in June. The move coincides with Donald Trump’s return to the U.S. presidency, adding urgency to the discussions.

According to sources familiar with the preliminary talks, the proposal would place significant pressure on already strained national budgets, raising concerns across several European capitals. The current target of 2 %has been met by 23 of NATO’s 32 member states this year, compared to just six members achieving the benchmark in 2018. However, seven European countries, including Italy and Spain, still fall short of the 2% goal adopted a decade ago.

Trump’s insistence on increased European contributions to NATO and the growing recognition that current spending levels are insufficient to support Ukraine or deter Russia have pushed European leaders to reassess their defense commitments. Talks that began last week during a meeting of alliance foreign ministers suggest an interim target of 2.5% in the short term and 3% by 2030, according to insiders.

Mark Rutte, NATO’s Secretary General, emphasized the need for higher spending targets. While declining to disclose specific figures, Rutte stated, “When you look at the capability targets and the existing gaps, it’s very clear that 2% is not sufficient.” He expressed hope that the new goals could be formalized at the upcoming summit in the Netherlands, despite financial challenges faced by European nations.

The alliance’s non-U.S. members have collectively increased their defense budgets by approximately $100 billion over the past two years. Nevertheless, raising spending to 3% will be a significant challenge for many European economies, including the UK, Germany, France, Italy, and Spain.

The UK’s current defense expenditure stands at £60 billion, or 2.3% of GDP, with a commitment to increase this to 2.5%. Prime Minister Keir Starmer has indicated that a strategic defense review will outline a roadmap for achieving this target. However, defense analysts caution that even this level of spending may be inadequate for modernizing the UK military and meeting NATO’s updated requirements.

Italy, spending 1.49%, faces scrutiny under the EU’s Excessive Deficit Procedure for exceeding budgetary rules. Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni’s government aims to reach the current 2% target by 2028. However, Defence Minister Guido Crosetto warned that Trump’s return to office could increase pressure to exceed this target, potentially reaching 2.5% or even 3%.

Spain remains at the bottom of NATO’s defense spending rankings, allocating just 1.28% of GDP to defense. Despite this, Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez highlighted Spain’s contributions to NATO missions and its focus on allocating 20% of defense spending to research and development, exceeding alliance benchmarks in this area.

The United States—currently spending 3.4% of its GDP on defense—views increased European contributions as essential to maintaining the alliance’s readiness and burden-sharing. A German official commented, “A commitment to 3% would send a strong signal to the U.S. and Trump, showcasing Europe’s dedication to collective security.” Germany, which met its 2% target for the first time this year, faces similar challenges in increasing spending further.