When François Bayrou strolled nonchalantly across the courtyard of the Hôtel de Matignon on the afternoon of December 13, 2024, for the handover ceremony with Michel Barnier, he took a moment to savor the moment. The centrist had aspired to the post of prime minister for seven years, after three unsuccessful attempts to win the presidency. "I know that the chances of difficulties are greater than the chances of success," he said alongside his predecessor, who had been ousted by the Assemblée Nationale. "I am well aware of the Himalaya that lies ahead of us (...). I think we have to try."

Bayrou, President Emmanuel Macron's fourth prime minister since 2022, did not get to enjoy a honeymoon period. Three days later, his trip to the city of Pau, southwest France, on a Falcon jet to preside over the city council – he had decided to remain mayor of the city – sparked the first controversy of his tenure. "I would have preferred he flew to Mayotte," said the president of the Assemblée Nationale, Yaël Braun-Pivet, referring to the overseas territory that had just been devastated by Cyclone Chido. "Pau is in France," Bayrou responded awkwardly.

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