Pau, France’s Mayor François bayrou, 74, has been hospitalized with the flu, prompting the cancellation of his public appearances this week. The former prime minister was admitted to the university hospital center on Monday as france faces a nationwide surge in influenza cases[[3]]. Bayrou, who has served as mayor as 2014, has remained publicly quiet since stepping down as prime minister last December, and his current health situation raises questions about his political future as municipal elections approach in March.
Pau, France – Mayor François Bayrou, a former prime minister, has been hospitalized with a severe case of the flu, forcing him to cancel all public engagements this week. The 74-year-old was admitted to the city’s university hospital center on Monday, according to a statement from his office. This development comes as France experiences a significant surge in influenza cases nationwide.
Bayrou has been reportedly unwell for about ten days, a fact he alluded to publicly on December 5, according to regional newspaper La République des Pyrénées. His office stated that his condition is improving but requires continued medical monitoring for several days.
“His health is improving but requires follow-up by the medical teams for a few more days,” the statement read. “He will therefore not be able to participate in the municipal council meeting on Monday, nor in the community council meeting scheduled for Thursday.”
Bayrou, who has maintained a relatively low profile since leaving his post as prime minister on December 13, 2024, has not yet announced whether he will seek reelection in the upcoming municipal elections in March. He has served as mayor of Pau since 2014. The timing of his illness could impact his political plans.
The hospitalization comes as France grapples with a widespread increase in flu activity. According to a report from Santé publique France on December 10, influenza activity was “strongly increasing” in early December, with all regions of the country – except Corsica, which is in a pre-epidemic phase – now at epidemic alert levels.
More information to come…
