François Bayrou back to the forefront of the French political scene

François Bayrou is appointed this Thursday High Commissioner for Planning and Foresight.

AFP Photos / Eric Feferberg

Text by: Anthony Lattier Follow

5 mins

François Bayrou, the former centrist presidential candidate and ephemeral Minister of Justice at the start of the five-year term is appointed this Thursday High Commissioner for Planning and Foresight.

This tailor-made position is inspired by the former Planning Commission created after the Second World War.

A reward for a very close to the Head of State and a pillar of the presidential majority.

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He is one of those who advise the Head of State in the shadows, now he is back in full light.

François Bayrou had left the government in a hurry in 2017, because of the affair of parliamentary assistants to Modem MEPs.

A case in which he was indicted last December, which, this time, did not prevent his appointment.

I have chosen to exercise this function for free, without remuneration ...

François Bayrou, on France 2.

It must be said that the Modem boss is part of the intimate circle of President Macron with whom he maintains an emotional as well as a political bond - even if the mayor of Pau does not hesitate to make his disagreements known.

For Emmanuel Macron, this appointment " 

".

It is about " 

 " and " 

", explains François Bayrou, who has long dreamed of following in the footsteps of Jean Monnet and its ambitious post-war planning commission.

François Bayrou will not report directly to the President as he wished, he will report to the Prime Minister.

But this position already places him at the heart of Emmanuel Macron's political apparatus for the next presidential election.

We are going to reveal subjects that will take root in the public debate ...

François Bayrou, on France 2.

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• Francois Bayrou

• France

• French politics