France PM François Bayrou axed after losing confidence vote; third ousting in 12 months
Synopsis
France's political landscape is once again turbulent as Prime Minister Francois Bayrou's government was ousted in a confidence vote, highlighting deep divisions over budget priorities. President Emmanuel Macron now faces the challenge of appointing a fourth prime minister in just a year amidst pressing economic issues and international crises.
By ET Online
Last Updated:
France, Europe's second-largest economy and currently weighed down due to its mounting debt, will be on a search for its fourth prime minister after the legislators toppled France's government in a confidence vote on Monday.
The demise of Bayrou's short-lived minority government - now constitutionally obliged to submit its resignation to Macron after just under nine months in office - heralds renewed uncertainty and a risk of prolonged legislative deadlock for France as it wrestles with pressing challenges, including budget difficulties and, internationally, wars in Ukraine and Gaza and the shifting priorities of U.S. President Donald Trump.
A person close to Prime Minister Francois Bayrou, who asked not to be identified, told AFP that the premier would submit his resignation to President Emmanuel Macron on Tuesday morning.
What led to the confidence vote?
France's politics have become increasingly fraught since Macron bet big by calling a snap parliamentary election in 2024 which resulted in a deeply fragmented parliament. Macron's control over parliament weakened as France's debt ballooned, in part due to his largesse during the COVID and cost-of-living crises. France is now under acute pressure to fix its finances. Public debt has climbed to 113.9% of GDP. Last year's deficit was nearly double the EU's 3% limit. Saying tough decisions were needed, Bayrou, a veteran centre-right politician and Macron's fourth prime minister since his re-election, sought to pass a budget for 2026 that would require 44 billion euros ($51.51 billion) in savings.
This provoked an outcry from opponents. Unable to see a path to adoption, Bayrou called a confidence vote on his fiscal strategy, in a gamble the opposition called political suicide.
Opposition parties have made clear they would vote him out, and they have more than enough members of parliament to do so.
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Prime Minister Francois Bayrou was ousted overwhelmingly in a 364-194 vote against him. The demise of Bayrou's short-lived minority government - now constitutionally obliged to submit its resignation to Macron after just under nine months in office - heralds renewed uncertainty and a risk of prolonged legislative deadlock for France as it wrestles with pressing challenges, including budget difficulties and, internationally, wars in Ukraine and Gaza and the shifting priorities of U.S. President Donald Trump.
A person close to Prime Minister Francois Bayrou, who asked not to be identified, told AFP that the premier would submit his resignation to President Emmanuel Macron on Tuesday morning.
What led to the confidence vote?
France's politics have become increasingly fraught since Macron bet big by calling a snap parliamentary election in 2024 which resulted in a deeply fragmented parliament. Macron's control over parliament weakened as France's debt ballooned, in part due to his largesse during the COVID and cost-of-living crises. France is now under acute pressure to fix its finances. Public debt has climbed to 113.9% of GDP. Last year's deficit was nearly double the EU's 3% limit. Saying tough decisions were needed, Bayrou, a veteran centre-right politician and Macron's fourth prime minister since his re-election, sought to pass a budget for 2026 that would require 44 billion euros ($51.51 billion) in savings.This provoked an outcry from opponents. Unable to see a path to adoption, Bayrou called a confidence vote on his fiscal strategy, in a gamble the opposition called political suicide.
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Opposition parties have made clear they would vote him out, and they have more than enough members of parliament to do so.
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