French Prime Minister François Bayrou is confronting a pivotal moment in his five-month tenure as he appears before a parliamentary committee on Wednesday to address allegations of sexual abuse at a Catholic school.
Bayrou, who served as education minister from 1993 to 1997, is accused by opposition parties of being aware of long-standing abuse at Notre-Dame de Betharram, a Catholic school in southwestern France, and failing to act. The 73-year-old denies the allegations, calling them part of a “destructive” campaign against him.
“This hearing is my chance to prove these claims are false,” Bayrou said on Saturday, ahead of the testimony.
Appointed prime minister by President Emmanuel Macron last December, the centrist leader was tasked with guiding France out of political instability. Though he has survived a no-confidence vote, the Betharram scandal has damaged his standing. A recent poll showed only 27% of French citizens approve of his leadership—placing him below Macron for the first time.
Political analysts warn that Bayrou’s performance during the hearing, which begins at 5:00 pm local time, could intensify pressure from opponents and even allies. “The scandal may not topple him alone, but it could encourage rivals to act on broader grievances, like France’s budget crisis,” noted the Eurasia Group.
Ties to the School Under Fire
Bayrou has deep personal ties to the school: he has served as mayor of nearby Pau since 2014, his wife once taught religious studies there, and his children were students. The inquiry’s co-rapporteurs, MPs Paul Vannier and Violette Spillebout, will question him on what he knew about decades of reported physical and sexual abuse.
His credibility has been further challenged by statements from his own daughter. In April, Bayrou’s eldest daughter, Hélène Perlant, now 53, said she was beaten by a priest at a summer camp when she was 14. Though she maintains her father did not know at the time, her account has fueled criticism.
While many in Bayrou’s camp doubt the scandal will end his premiership, a Macron ally warned, “If he lies before parliament, he’s dead—politically.”
The Greens have accused Bayrou of perjury and called for his resignation, while some Socialist lawmakers have declared his political career over. Nevertheless, Bayrou is not the formal subject of the inquiry, which focuses more broadly on how the state handled violence in schools.
So far, 200 complaints have been filed since February 2024, alleging abuse at Betharram between 1957 and 2004. Victims have described lasting trauma and systemic failure.
“The state has failed to protect the children of Betharram,” said Alain Esquerre, a representative of the survivors’ group. One victim’s father accused Bayrou of lying to protect his political ambitions.
The inquiry is expected to conclude in late June after hearing testimony from victims, witnesses, and former officials.
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