“Prime Minister François Bayrou’s minority government teeters on collapse amid fierce opposition to his €44 billion austerity plan. A failed confidence vote could thrust France into deeper political and economic turmoil.”
French Government on Brink of Collapse as Prime Minister François Bayrou Faces Crucial Confidence Vote
France stands at a political flashpoint as Prime Minister François Bayrou, only nine months into his tenure, confronts an imminent no-confidence vote in the National Assembly. His decision to call the vote—designed to rally support for his tough €44 billion austerity package—has backfired, uniting parties across the spectrum against him. Opposition from both the far right and the Socialists nearly guarantees his downfall.
Bayrou’s sweeping budget includes cutting two public holidays, taxing pensioners, and freezing most government spending. These measures have ignited broad backlash amid soaring public debt—now exceeding 113% of GDP—and mounting voters’ frustration.
Should Bayrou lose the vote, President Emmanuel Macron will face a critical challenge: naming a fifth prime minister within two years or risking a snap election—both moves fraught with uncertainty. France’s deeply divided parliament, a messy aftermath of a failed snap election in 2024, has left looming political gridlock.
The vote’s implications stretch far beyond political wrangling. With protests and strikes building, financial markets are on edge, fearing further fiscal instability and potential credit downgrades
