France has been plunged into a new political crisis with the defeat of Prime Minister François Bayrou at a confidence vote in the National Assembly. The defeat – by 364 votes to 194 – means that Bayrou will on Tuesday present his government's resignation to President Emmanuel Macron, who must now decide how to replace him. Macron's office said this would happen 'in the coming days.'
The options include naming a new prime minister from the centre-right; pivoting to the left and finding a name compatible with the Socialist Party; and dissolving parliament so new elections can be held. Macron's bitter enemies in the far-left France Unbowed party are calling for him personally to resign, but few commentators think it likely.
France is thus on its way to getting a fifth prime minister in less than two years - a dismal record that underscores the drift and disenchantment that have marked the president's second term.
Bayrou's fall came after he staked his government on an emergency confidence debate on the question of French debt. He spent the summer warning of the 'existential' threat to France if it did not start to tackle its €3.4 trillion (£2.9 trillion) liability. In a budget for 2026 he proposed to scrap two national holidays and freeze welfare payments and pensions, with the aim of saving €44 billion. But he was quickly disabused of any hope that his prophesies of financial doom would sway opponents.
Party after party made quite clear they saw Monday's vote as an opportunity to settle accounts with Bayrou - and through him Macron. Lacking any majority in the National Assembly, Bayrou saw the left and hard-right uniting against him - and his fate was sealed.
Some commentators have described Bayrou's fall as an act of political suicide. There was no need for him to call the early confidence vote, and he could have spent the coming months trying to build support. In his speech beforehand, Bayrou made clear that he had his eyes set more on history rather than politics, telling MPs that it was future generations who would suffer if France lost its financial independence.
'You may have the power to bring down the government. But you cannot efface reality,' he said. Though likely aware of the deep-seated issue of public debt, Bayrou's warnings seemed to have little resonance within parliament or among the general populace, who prioritize issues like cost of living and safety over debt control.
In response to the current climate, a movement called Bloquons Tout (Let's Block Everything) has vowed to protests, beginning a wave of demonstrations that are set to challenge Macron’s policies. Bayrou’s removal raises questions about France's political future and whether a sustainable solution to its leadership crisis is in sight.
The options include naming a new prime minister from the centre-right; pivoting to the left and finding a name compatible with the Socialist Party; and dissolving parliament so new elections can be held. Macron's bitter enemies in the far-left France Unbowed party are calling for him personally to resign, but few commentators think it likely.
France is thus on its way to getting a fifth prime minister in less than two years - a dismal record that underscores the drift and disenchantment that have marked the president's second term.
Bayrou's fall came after he staked his government on an emergency confidence debate on the question of French debt. He spent the summer warning of the 'existential' threat to France if it did not start to tackle its €3.4 trillion (£2.9 trillion) liability. In a budget for 2026 he proposed to scrap two national holidays and freeze welfare payments and pensions, with the aim of saving €44 billion. But he was quickly disabused of any hope that his prophesies of financial doom would sway opponents.
Party after party made quite clear they saw Monday's vote as an opportunity to settle accounts with Bayrou - and through him Macron. Lacking any majority in the National Assembly, Bayrou saw the left and hard-right uniting against him - and his fate was sealed.
Some commentators have described Bayrou's fall as an act of political suicide. There was no need for him to call the early confidence vote, and he could have spent the coming months trying to build support. In his speech beforehand, Bayrou made clear that he had his eyes set more on history rather than politics, telling MPs that it was future generations who would suffer if France lost its financial independence.
'You may have the power to bring down the government. But you cannot efface reality,' he said. Though likely aware of the deep-seated issue of public debt, Bayrou's warnings seemed to have little resonance within parliament or among the general populace, who prioritize issues like cost of living and safety over debt control.
In response to the current climate, a movement called Bloquons Tout (Let's Block Everything) has vowed to protests, beginning a wave of demonstrations that are set to challenge Macron’s policies. Bayrou’s removal raises questions about France's political future and whether a sustainable solution to its leadership crisis is in sight.
