Former French Prime Minister François Bayrou has been hospitalized due to a severe flu.

François Bayrou, former Prime Minister of France and current mayor of the city of Pau, has been hospitalized due to a very severe flu, according to a statement from the City Hall. At the age of 74, Bayrou requires medical care, but his health condition is improving. For this reason, he will not be able to attend the municipal council scheduled for Monday nor the community council on Thursday, and his agenda for the week has been canceled.

On December 5, Bayrou announced that he has the flu during a citizens' forum. Flu activity in France has significantly increased at the beginning of December, and all regions, except Corsica, have been placed on epidemic alert. Bayrou, mayor since 2014, is considered a favorite for a third term, but he has not yet confirmed his intentions for the municipal elections in March.