French Prime Minister François Bayrou has lost a confidence vote in the National Assembly. The outcome, widely anticipated, saw a clear majority of parliamentarians voting against the Prime Minister on Monday evening. Bayrou had held the position for less than nine months. Following President Emmanuel Macron’s call for snap elections in July 2024, his centrist coalition no longer commands a majority in parliament. The previous government had already been ousted by a motion of no confidence.
The primary point of contention within the parliament centered on Bayrou’s proposed austerity budget. In his government declaration on Monday, he argued for the necessity of his plans to cut spending by €44 billion, stating, “The survival of the country is at stake”. He further emphasized, “A country unable to balance its public finances is a country that is giving up on itself”. He repeatedly declined proposals from the left to increase revenue through higher taxes on the wealthiest citizens.
Bayrou had initially sought the confidence vote to secure support for his austerity measures. However, opposition parties immediately announced their intent to bring down the government. The repeated downfall of one of Macron’s minority governments is expected to increase the pressure on President Macron, who has so far ruled out snap elections and his own resignation. The Bayrou government is likely to remain in a caretaker capacity until Macron appoints a successor. Trade unions have called for strikes and protests against the proposed cuts in the coming days and weeks.
