• François Bayrou, France’s new Prime Minister, faces pressing challenges in securing a budget and renegotiating pension reforms.
• The government's reliance on temporary fiscal measures risks a shutdown as it navigates unprecedented political instability.
• Bayrou aims to stabilize his administration by engaging with opposition parties, particularly the Socialists, to fend off potential no-confidence votes.
• The controversial pension reform plan, raising the retirement age from 62 to 64, remains a point of contention amid public backlash.

In the wake of political uncertainty, François Bayrou, appointed as Prime Minister of France following the resignation of the previous cabinet, is facing significant hurdles ahead of his inaugural address to the National Assembly. Amidst a landscape of **political instability**, Bayrou's government lacks a parliamentary majority, prompting urgent discussions on budget implementation and pension reform [AP News](https://apnews.com/article/france-prime-minister-bayrou-budget-4db40ba3b61cf2c2360e3d4ecf3b79ec).

During his first parliamentary session, Bayrou emphasized the need for a cohesive budget to manage the national deficit—projected at 6% of France’s GDP for 2024—while ensuring necessary allocations for defense and support measures [Al Jazeera](https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2025/1/14/france-new-pm-announces-renegotiation-of-contested-pension-reforms). “No one knows the difficulty of the situation better,” he remarked, comparing the challenges to scaling an “Himalaya.”

With the pressing requirement to pass the budget for 2025, Bayrou is keenly aware of the pitfalls his fragile coalition faces. His administration relies on a tenuous agreement between centrist allies and the Republican Party, both of which lack an absolute majority. This precarious situation is exacerbated by the **threat of a no-confidence vote**, with tensions rising amidst ongoing negotiation efforts that may determine his government’s viability in the coming weeks.

At the heart of this political turmoil is Bayrou's initiative to **renegotiate the contentious pension reform**, which has sparked widespread protests since it was enacted in April 2023. The reform, dictating a rise in retirement age to 64 and extending the working period to 43 years for a full pension, has faced backlash from unions and opposition groups. Amid a backdrop of mass protests throughout this past spring, Bayrou's commitment to altering this policy reflects a strategic move aimed at garnering broader support, particularly from the Socialists, while placating various factions in parliament [AP News](https://apnews.com/article/france-prime-minister-bayrou-budget-4db40ba3b61cf2c2360e3d4ecf3b79ec).

As these pivotal discussions unfold, concerns loom over potential future challenges. Bayrou’s planned negotiations with opposition parties, including the Socialists, potentially signal a shift in alliance-building efforts to solidify his government’s stability. Nonetheless, far-right leader Marine Le Pen remains a formidable opponent, holding sway in the National Assembly and signaling opposition to any budget that increases tax burdens or healthcare costs. Her party’s critical stance could foster new conflicts over public spending, particularly relating to immigration and healthcare provision for undocumented migrants [Al Jazeera](https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2025/1/14/france-new-pm-announces-renegotiation-of-contested-pension-reforms).

As Bayrou seeks to navigate these tumultuous waters, the pivotal questions remain: can he stabilize both his government and the nation’s finances while striking a viable compromise on pension reform?