François Bayrou Warns of National Debt and Calls for Comprehensive Reforms

Paris – 22.06.2026: François Bayrou, former Prime Minister and President of the Mouvement Démocrate (MoDem), once again highlighted in an interview with the program “4 Vérités” the serious danger posed by France’s high national debt. Bayrou described France as the country with the highest tax burdens worldwide, without this being reflected in an improvement in citizens’ quality of life. He called for a comprehensive reform of public administration to enable efficiency gains and to stabilize state finances in the long term.

Between 2020 and 2024, Bayrou served as High Commissioner for the Plan and presented in 2025 a strict budget plan with savings of 43.8 billion euros for 2026. This was intended to help reduce the budget deficit, which was then significantly above the target level, to 4.6% of gross domestic product. Despite these efforts, the National Assembly withdrew its confidence in Bayrou in September 2025, leading to his resignation.

In his latest book “Alerte sur la France qui vient” Bayrou sharply criticizes the country’s current financial policy. He especially warns against the rising interest payments on the national debt, which now consume a considerable part of the state budget and thus restrict important investment and social expenditures. The resulting financial imbalance endangers France’s future viability.

Bayrou also announced that he will not run in the 2027 presidential elections. He wants to maintain his independence and focus solely on raising public awareness of the risks of over-indebtedness. His statements are intended to emphasize the urgency with which reforms must be implemented immediately to improve public administration and establish sustainable fiscal policy.

The debate over debt and related reforms has accompanied French politics for years. Bayrou’s assessments shed light on the challenges the country faces if it wants to secure its financial stability and social development. This also involves the question of how much the state must adjust its spending structure to avoid burdening future generations with a load that restricts their economic opportunities.

With his long-standing experience in politics and planning, Bayrou underscores the importance of consolidated and responsible management of public funds. His demand for a complete reorganization of public action is regarded by experts and political observers as an important contribution for the coming decade. The need for reform is considered a central factor for stability and prosperity in French society.