After his failure at Matignon, François Bayrou, MoDem president, has withdrawn from the national stage to focus on Pau. He is preparing his bid for a third term as mayor in the 2026 municipal elections, despite local controversies. This strategy aims to restore his political health.
François Bayrou, a 74-year-old centrist and MoDem president, served as prime minister from December 2024 to September 2025. He resigned on September 8 after losing a confidence vote in the National Assembly that he had requested. For over two months, the former head of government has maintained media silence, contrasting with his intensive tour before the vote, where he tried to justify his approach.
His close lieutenant, Marc Fesneau, MoDem deputy leader, will replace him in consultations launched by Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu. The latter will meet political groups to discuss priority issues. Officially, Bayrou avoids harming his successor and rejects the revanchist role. His entourage explains that this temporary withdrawal allows him to regain political health.
His nine months at Matignon left him damaged: lack of method, missteps, and the Bétharram affair, where he is accused of lying about his knowledge of violence and sexual assaults in this Catholic institution in Béarn. Back in Pau, mayor since 2014, Bayrou is "denationalizing" himself, as per his circle, to seek a new term in March 2026. Yet, his national failure and the local impact of Bétharram make re-election more difficult.
Bayrou continues consulting and thinking about the future, focusing on municipal matters.