France has been plunged into a new political crisis after lawmakers voted to oust Prime Minister François Bayrou in a confidence motion, forcing his resignation and leaving the country leaderless amid economic strain and geopolitical tensions. The defeat, with 364 votes against and 194 in favor, well above the 280-vote threshold required, means Bayrou will step down on Tuesday after just nine months in office.
Bayrou called the confidence vote himself in a bid to push through an unpopular €44 billion austerity plan aimed at addressing France’s soaring public debt of €3.4 trillion. His proposals included scrapping two national holidays and freezing welfare payments and pensions, arguing that such measures were essential to prevent future generations from facing financial slavery. However, his warnings about the existential threat of debt were largely dismissed by opponents.
Opposition parties from across the political spectrum, including the far-left France Unbowed, the Socialists, and the hard-right National Rally, united to vote against Bayrou. They accused him and President Emmanuel Macron of mismanaging the economy and ignoring social concerns, such as the cost of living and immigration. This coalition saw the vote as an opportunity to settle political scores rather than address fiscal issues.
This crisis is part of a broader pattern of instability in French politics that began with Macron’s decision to call a snap election in 2024, which resulted in a fragmented parliament with no clear majority. Bayrou is the second prime minister to fall in less than a year, following Michel Barnier’s ouster in December 2024, marking the fifth PM change in under two years and highlighting deep political divisions.
Economically, the situation is dire, with French government bond yields rising above those of other Eurozone countries like Spain and Greece, signaling investor concerns over fiscal health. A possible debt rating downgrade on Friday could exacerbate borrowing costs, and Bayrou’s departure leaves the debt crisis unresolved with no immediate path to consensus.
Macron now faces the challenge of appointing a new prime minister, with potential candidates including Defence Minister Sébastien Lecornu and Justice Minister Gérald Darmanin. However, any centrist appointee is likely to face swift opposition and possible no-confidence votes from both left and right factions. Alternatively, Macron could dissolve parliament and call new elections, but polls suggest this might strengthen the far-right National Rally, leading to further fragmentation.
Public anger is mounting, with protests organized for Wednesday under the slogan “Bloquons Tout” (Let’s Block Everything), and trade unions planning demonstrations on September 18. The political turmoil comes at a critical geopolitical moment, with wars in Ukraine and the Middle East, and could be exploited by adversaries like Russian President Vladimir Putin and former US President Donald Trump.
In conclusion, France’s political deadlock reflects profound societal divisions and poses significant challenges to governance and economic stability, with the resolution of this crisis likely to shape the country’s future in Europe.