François Bayrou has, quite literally, imposed himself as the Prime Minister of France following the censure of the Barnier government. Facing an Emmanuel Macron more politically weakened than ever, Bayrou left Macron with no choice. The French President had no other option but to appoint the Béarn native—a seasoned centrist of French politics and admirer of King Henri IV, whose reign he praises for its ability to unify the French people.

The heated exchange between the two men lasted nearly two hours. Bayrou, who played a decisive role in making Macron president in 2017 by lending him his political support, threatened to withdraw his faction’s backing in the National Assembly from what remains of Macron’s relative majority. In a stunning political showdown, Bayrou forced Macron to capitulate.

Bayrou will need support in the National Assembly to tackle the severe situation of a country in a state of political and financial instability following the catastrophic dissolution of parliament last June.

The first warning sign came with the downgrade of France’s credit rating by Moody’s. The second came from the far-left, which has already promised to censure Bayrou's government before it is even formed.

“The chances of difficulties outweigh the chances of success,” the new French Prime Minister said during the handover ceremony with Michel Barnier.

Bayrou even described an “Himalaya” looming before him and his government as they attempt to address the crises in which France is currently engulfed.

Macron now faces a tough cohabitation with Bayrou, who is betting everything on this role, convinced that his destiny will eventually lead him to the Élysée Palace. But how long will this new French government last? Will Bayrou wait for a censure motion, or will he step down after another clash with Macron, who is already on shaky ground? The Béarn native has a fiery temperament but a cold, clinical political instinct!