To finalize the reshuffle of the French government, Secretaries of State have yet to be appointed, as well as a High Commissioner for Planning. And for this position, it is the president of MoDem François Bayrou who is approached.
At the end of next week, around fifteen state secretaries will be appointed. A high commissioner for the plan must complete the system and it is François Bayrou who a priori is intended for this position but as often with the president of MoDem, nothing is simple.
He wants a job commensurate with his ego. Clearly, François Bayrou only wants to be accountable to the President of the Republic. No question for him to obey Jean Castex, the Prime Minister. And then Francois Bayrou wants a big plan commissioner. I remind you that this Gaullist institution had been dissolved in 2006. And François Bayrou sees himself again Jean Monnet.
He always said that we had to update the plan, develop a long-term vision for the country. A position which is offered to François Bayrou. Except that he poses a condition: not being attached would also allow him to remain mayor of Pau. He would not be struck by the plurality of mandates.
In short Bayrou makes Bayrou. He regularly says of the president that he must renew his contract of confidence with the French. For the president of MoDem, becoming a high commissioner for the plan in direct connection would mean that he continues to hold the position of privileged partner.
Francois Bayrou wants to convince Emmanuel Macron that the MoDem remains a good political plan to be re-elected in 2022.