French Prime Minister François Bayrou was ousted in a vote of no confidence by the National Assembly amid widespread rejection of his proposed €44 billion budget cuts for the coming year.
This defeat reflects broad dissatisfaction from both left and right factions in France’s deeply divided legislature.
This marks the second prime minister ousted in less than a year, following Michel Barnier’s removal in December 2024.
President Emmanuel Macron is now tasked with appointing his fifth prime minister in 20 months, highlighting severe instability within the French government.
Why François Bayrou lost the confidence vote
Bayrou’s austerity plan sparked fierce opposition, as many lawmakers criticized the scale and impact of the spending cuts on social programs and public services.
The motion against him united otherwise divided leftist and right-wing parties in rejecting his approach.
The parliamentarians fear the cuts could worsen economic inequality and social unrest during a time of high inflation and cost-of-living crises.
Did you know?
The last successful vote of no confidence in France before 2025 was in 1962.
How this marks the second PM ousting in under a year
France has not seen two successful no-confidence votes in such quick succession since 1962. The previous prime minister, Michel Barnier, was also removed after failing to secure legislative support for similarly austere economic reforms.
This pattern reflects growing political fragmentation and the weakening of Macron’s minority government.
President Macron’s challenge in appointing a new PM
Macron faces the difficult task of selecting a prime minister capable of navigating a fractured parliament. The new leader must marshal enough support to pass painful but necessary economic reforms while managing political tensions.
Finding a consensus candidate amid rising far-right and left-wing opposition complicates Macron’s efforts to stabilize his administration.
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Political divisions fueling instability in France
France's National Assembly remains polarized between far-right, left-wing, and centrist factions, none commanding a clear majority. This results in legislative deadlock on key policy issues such as immigration, social welfare, and economic austerity.
The ongoing division raises concerns about governance effectiveness and potential calls for snap elections.
Economic pressures driving the government crisis
Rising national debt and a budget deficit reaching 5.8% of GDP, well above the EU target of 3%, pressure France’s government amid global economic uncertainties. Investors worry about higher interest rates and credit downgrades, which could affect public finances.
The new prime minister will inherit the challenge of balancing economic discipline with social stability in a volatile environment. The ousting of François Bayrou deepens a political crisis for President Macron’s administration.
The struggle to form a cohesive government capable of enacting reforms threatens short-term policy continuity and adds uncertainty to France’s economic outlook.
The coming months will be crucial in determining whether France can overcome this period of instability.
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