Prime Minister François Bayrou announced that he will seek a confidence vote in the French parliament on September 8. The move comes as his government faces rising opposition over plans to cut €44 billion in public spending.
France’s budget deficit reached 5.8% of GDP last year. Bayrou warned that the country is at a “worrying and decisive moment.” He argued that drastic action is needed to escape what he called the “curse of indebtedness.”
Bayrou’s proposals include deep spending cuts and even scrapping two national holidays to boost productivity. Parties from across the political spectrum have already declared they will vote against Bayrou’s government. These include:
- National Rally (far right)
- Socialists
- Greens
- France Unbowed (radical left)
- Communists
Socialist leader Olivier Faure said it would be “unthinkable” for his party to support the prime minister. Far-right leader Marine Le Pen called the vote “the end of [Bayrou’s] government.”
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French PM : Markets React, Protests Loom
The uncertainty shook investor confidence. The CAC-40 index fell 1.59% on Monday, then dropped another 2% on Tuesday morning.
At the same time, a protest movement called “Bloquons tout” (Block Everything) is gaining momentum. Planned demonstrations across France will take place just two days before the vote. The movement started online but is now backed by major unions and far-left groups.
Bayrou leads a minority government formed after the collapse of Michel Barnier’s administration last December. Despite praise from some ministers, such as Justice Minister Gérald Darmanin, Bayrou has little support in the National Assembly.
Interior Minister Bruno Retailleau warned that rejecting the budget could trigger a major economic crisis.
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What Happens if French PM Bayrou Loses the Vote?
If Bayrou loses the confidence vote, President Emmanuel Macron will face tough decisions. He could:
- Keep Bayrou as a caretaker PM
- Appoint a new prime minister
- Call new elections
Macron, whose term runs until 2027, has already faced criticism for calling snap elections in 2024, which resulted in the current minority government.
With less than two weeks before the September 8 confidence vote, France faces a critical political showdown. As protests grow and markets react, the fate of Bayrou’s government—and possibly Macron’s broader agenda—hangs in the balance.
French Parliament- Assemblée nationale
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