France has been plunged into political chaos after Prime Minister François Bayrou was ousted from office following a crushing defeat in a confidence vote in the National Assembly.
MPs voted 364 to 194 in favour of removing Bayrou, delivering a 170-vote majority against his government. Bayrou is expected to formally resign on Tuesday, leaving President Emmanuel Macron facing a pivotal decision: appoint a new prime minister or call snap elections.
Bayrou’s Last Stand Over Austerity Budget
Bayrou had called the confidence vote himself, hoping to rally support for his controversial austerity budget, which he argued was essential to addressing France’s spiralling debt crisis.
In a passionate address to parliament, the 74-year-old warned:
“You can get rid of the government, but you can’t get rid of reality.”
He highlighted that France’s public debt now stands at 114% of GDP, saying the country’s debt mountain risks ‘enslaving our youth.’
“France has not known a balanced budget for 51 years. Every year, debt accumulates,” he added.
Bayrou’s plan included £38 billion in budget cuts for 2026, with a goal of reducing the deficit from 5.4% of GDP this year to 4.6% by 2026.
Some observers believe Bayrou’s dramatic move was partly motivated by his own political ambitions, setting the stage for a potential run at the presidency in 2027.
Macron Under Fire Amid Deepening Deadlock
The collapse of Bayrou’s government marks yet another setback for Macron, who will now be searching for his fourth prime minister in just over a year. Analysts doubt whether he can assemble a stable coalition given the deep divisions within the National Assembly.
France has been paralysed by political gridlock, with lawmakers unable to agree on budget reforms or changes to the pension system. Macron’s decision to call snap elections last year backfired, leaving him with a hung parliament after his party lost ground to Marine Le Pen’s National Rally in the European elections.
As a result, Macron now faces mounting pressure. Both far-left parties and Le Pen’s right-wing National Rally are demanding fresh elections and even calling for Macron’s resignation.
Fierce Reactions From Opposition Leaders
Opposition figures were quick to seize on Bayrou’s downfall. Boris Vallaud, leader of the Socialist parliamentary group, criticised Bayrou’s actions, saying:
“You will not turn your defeat into a victory. This is not an act of courage, it is a flight.”
Meanwhile, Marine Le Pen sought to position National Rally as the party of the future, blaming decades of failed leadership by France’s political establishment:
“It is in these moments of crisis that the small and large acts of cowardice, the shameful opportunism, the hidden connivances are revealed in the shipwreck of discredited formations.”
Uncertain Future for France
Macron now faces a stark choice — find a new prime minister who can build a working coalition or return to the polls in a high-stakes election that could reshape France’s political landscape.
With public anger mounting, economic pressures intensifying, and confidence in the government at an all-time low, the coming weeks will be critical in determining whether France can overcome its deepening debt crisis and political instability.
