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 are 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 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.
However, party after party made it clear that 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 unite against him, sealing his fate.
Some commentators have described Bayrou's fall as an act of political suicide, though Bayrou maintained that it was future generations who would suffer if France lost its financial independence. As calls for protests mount against Macron's policies, the future of French governance remains uncertain.
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 are 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 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.
However, party after party made it clear that 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 unite against him, sealing his fate.
Some commentators have described Bayrou's fall as an act of political suicide, though Bayrou maintained that it was future generations who would suffer if France lost its financial independence. As calls for protests mount against Macron's policies, the future of French governance remains uncertain.
