François Bayrou
President of the Mouvement démocrate (MoDem) · Mouvement démocrate (MoDem)
Where they stand
The latest thing they said on each issue, dated. Tap an issue for their words and the source.
Economy and energy
Pension reform Suspend or rework it
Said
As Prime Minister he reopened the 2023 reform for negotiation, with nothing off the table, not even the retirement age, provided the system stays financed.
“J’ai la conviction que nous pouvons rechercher une voie de réforme nouvelle, sans aucun totem ni tabou – pas même l’âge de la retraite –, à condition qu’elle réponde à l’exigence fixée : nous ne pouvons pas laisser dégrader l’équilibre financier que nous cherchons et sur lequel presque tout le monde s’accorde.”
Our translation I am convinced that we can seek a new path of reform, without any totem or taboo – not even the retirement age –, on condition that it meets the requirement set: we cannot let the financial balance that we are seeking, and on which almost everyone agrees, deteriorate.
Taxing the very rich Tax the largest fortunes more
Said
The very highest incomes and fortunes should pay a specific contribution to the national effort; in the same speech he rejected an annual 2% tax on the largest fortunes as confiscatory.
“Mais je veux réaffirmer ici qu’il conviendra de trouver un type de contribution qui fasse que les très hauts revenus et les très hauts patrimoines soient appelés à participer spécifiquement à l’effort national”
Our translation But I want to reaffirm here that it will be necessary to find a type of contribution that makes the very high incomes and the very high fortunes be called upon to participate specifically in the national effort
Nuclear power Build new reactors
Said
His government firmly supports the EPR2 programme to build six new large reactors, the first in service by 2038.
“Le Gouvernement soutient donc fermement le développement du programme EPR2 (Evolutionary Power Reactor 2), qui vise à construire six nouveaux réacteurs de forte puissance, pour une première mise en service d’ici à 2038.”
Our translation The Government therefore firmly supports the development of the EPR2 (Evolutionary Power Reactor 2) programme, which aims to build six new high-power reactors, with a first commissioning by 2038.
Society
Immigration Controlled, regulated entry
Said
France must control and manage arrivals and integrate those who are and will be here through work, language and respect for its principles.
“Nous avons donc deux obligations : contrôler et maîtriser les arrivées et intégrer ceux qui sont – et seront – là, par le travail, par la langue et par l’engagement à respecter nos principes de vie.”
Our translation We therefore have two obligations: to control and manage arrivals and to integrate those who are – and will be – here, through work, through the language and through the commitment to respect our principles of life.
Assisted dying Against assisted dying
Said
He would not have voted for the end-of-life bill: once death is presented as a form of care, he says, the idea spreads and weighs on the most vulnerable.
“Je n'aurais pas voté ce texte sur la fin de vie. À partir du moment où on introduit « la mort est un soin », ça fait tâche d'huile parce que ça s'immisce dans la conscience générale, et ça se multiplie pour les plus vulnérables.”
Our translation I would not have voted for this text on the end of life. From the moment one introduces "death is a care", it spreads like an oil stain because it seeps into the general consciousness, and it multiplies for the most vulnerable.
Source @bayrou on X (quoting his Europe 1 / CNews interview with Laurence Ferrari)
France in the world
Ukraine Keep arming Ukraine
Said
Europe must not leave Ukraine defenceless: it should share equipment, help train its forces and not let an American withdrawal condemn it to defeat.
“Mais d’abord, et dans l’urgence, nous ne pouvons pas laisser le peuple ukrainien sans défense. Nous devons aider l’Ukraine, mobiliser des ressources, partager les matériels, aider à former, sécuriser autant que possible et ne pas accepter qu’un retrait américain condamne à la défaite ce pays défenseur de nos libertés.”
Our translation But first, and urgently, we cannot leave the Ukrainian people defenceless. We must help Ukraine, mobilise resources, share equipment, help train, secure as much as possible and not accept that an American withdrawal condemns to defeat this country that defends our freedoms.
Palestinian state Recognise a Palestinian state
Said
France, the United Kingdom and Canada decided together that they would recognise the State of Palestine.
“Pour la première fois, trois États majeurs, la France et le Royaume-Uni – qui ont joué un rôle très important dans cette région – ainsi que le Canada ont décidé ensemble qu’ils s’opposeraient à la situation actuelle et qu’ils reconnaîtraient ensemble l’État de Palestine.”
Our translation For the first time, three major states, France and the United Kingdom – which have played a very important role in this region – as well as Canada have decided together that they would oppose the current situation and that they would together recognise the State of Palestine.
- EU–Mercosur dealNothing on record yet
No change of mind on record yet: every position above is the latest they have stated, with its date.
How this works
Each change shows what they said then and what they said later, in their own words, dated, with the source.
Every quote is checked word for word against a saved copy of its source. Translations are labelled.
The short labels on each line are our summaries.