Emmanuel Macron announced a new Prime Minister would be named within 48 hours following Michel Barnier’s resignation after a censure vote. Barnier’s term, lasting just three months, is the shortest in Fifth Republic history. Despite his brief tenure, he will receive a departure bonus and a salary for three months, along with certain benefits. Current expenditures for former Prime Ministers rose to 1.42 million euros in 2023, prompting Barnier to call for budgetary restraint and efficiency.
Emmanuel Macron’s Promise of a New Prime Minister
On December 10, President Emmanuel Macron assured the nation that a new Prime Minister would be appointed within “48 hours.” This announcement followed the censure motion vote, compelling the 73-year-old Savoyard to tender his resignation to the President on December 5. Michel Barnier’s brief tenure, which began on September 5, 2024, has now become the shortest in the history of the Fifth Republic, as he managed Matignon for merely three months.
The Benefits for Former Prime Ministers
Despite his short time in office, Michel Barnier will enjoy the same benefits as other former Prime Ministers, including a departure bonus. Following his exit, he will continue to receive a salary for an additional three months. According to Ordinance No. 58-1099, he is entitled to an allowance equivalent to his previous salary as a government member. This totals to 48,114 euros gross, which represents three times his monthly gross salary of 16,038 euros. However, there are stipulations: he must refrain from accepting any paid position during this three-month period and must submit his final declaration to the High Authority for Transparency in Public Life (HATVP).
Moreover, under Decree No. 2019-973, former Prime Ministers are entitled to a personal secretary for a decade post-departure, but this is not applicable in Barnier’s case due to his age of 73. Nevertheless, he can request a vehicle and a driver without any duration limit, although he must submit a formal request. Notably, this provision does not apply if he has similar support from a parliamentary or public office.
Currently, 15 former Prime Ministers, including Barnier, are availing themselves of these benefits. In 2023, the expenses incurred for former heads of government reached 1.42 million euros, marking an 11% increase from the previous year’s 1.28 million euros, as reported by Deputy Marie-Christine Dalloz in the finance bill for 2025.
Barnier, recognizing the burden of these expenses, had previously urged former Prime Ministers to “make efforts” amid a challenging budgetary landscape. During an appearance on TF1’s 8 PM news, he advocated for improvements in the state’s standard of living, emphasizing a need for simplicity and sobriety, with a focus on potential cost savings.
In addition to these financial considerations, there are also security expenses for former Prime Ministers. They have the option to request police protection, provided by the National Police Protection Service (SDLP). The funding for these protective measures is not publicly disclosed and is overseen by the Minister of the Interior. However, in response to an inquiry from a deputy in June 2020, it was revealed that in 2019, the costs associated with protecting former Prime Ministers totaled 2,802,903 euros, covering payroll, overtime, mission-related expenses, and vehicle maintenance.