François Bayrou under fire: a controversial trip to Pau amid the crisis in Mayotte

Barely appointed as Prime Minister, François Bayrou is facing growing controversy after a round trip to Pau, the city where he remains mayor, during the ongoing crisis in Mayotte. While the archipelago deals with a dire situation following a cyclone, the head of government chose to chair Pau’s municipal council, sparking outrage across the political spectrum.

A trip that raises questions

On Monday, December 16, 2024, François Bayrou left Paris for Pau, where he attended the municipal council meeting. During this session, he passionately defended the return of dual mandates for parliamentarians, banned since 2014. This statement, part of his upcoming general policy speech, was poorly received, both for its timing and its content. “It feels like Mayotte is a second-rate crisis,” said a deputy from the central bloc.

Yaël Braun-Pivet, president of the national assembly, also denounced the move: “when you hold a position, you must fulfill it full time. this is not the time to bring the dual mandate debate back.” on the left, Olivier Faure called the discussion “totally irrelevant for the French people,” while on the right, Thibault Bazin said, “the municipal council could manage without its mayor given the situation in Mayotte.”

Criticism over handling the Mayotte crisis

As Mayotte faces a humanitarian emergency, François Bayrou assured he was closely monitoring the situation “via videoconference” from Pau, in coordination with interior minister Bruno Retailleau. This explanation did little to calm the critics. Many highlighted the contrast with his predecessor Gabriel Attal, who was deeply involved in managing a health crisis in Mayotte a few months earlier.

“this trip is symbolically disastrous,” said Manuel Bompard (La France insoumise). even within modem, some members struggle to defend their leader. “it’s maybe clumsy,” admitted deputy Richard Ramos, while another centrist MP was more direct: “it really doesn’t give a good impression.”

A divisive stance on dual mandates

Beyond the controversial trip, Bayrou’s defense of dual mandates has drawn sharp criticism. He argues for “reconnecting political responsibilities with local communities.” But for many lawmakers, this proposal seems disconnected from current priorities like purchasing power and security. “it’s a serious political mistake,” remarked a local opponent, while the RN lamented that the stance was “far removed from the expectations of the French people.”

A rocky start at Matignon

After just a few days in office, François Bayrou has accumulated missteps, drawing criticism from all sides, including allies. with only 36 deputies in the national assembly, the prime minister will need broad political support to pass his 2025 budget. “but who will risk themselves for a head of government who keeps making blunders?” wondered a Republican deputy.

The atmosphere is expected to be tense at the assembly, where François Bayrou will face parliamentary questions on Tuesday, without the support of ministers yet to be appointed. The prime minister, caught in a challenging situation, will need great skill to restore his credibility.