France Plunges into Political Crisis as PM Bayrou Ousted in No-Confidence Vote
France Plunges into Political Crisis as PM Bayrou Ousted in No-Confidence Vote
French Prime Minister François Bayrou was ousted yesterday (Monday) after losing a no-confidence vote, plunging the nation into a severe political crisis. The defeat, with 364 MPs voting against his government, leaves France without a leader amid escalating economic pressures and geopolitical tensions.
President Emmanuel Macron now faces the daunting task of naming a new prime minister in the coming days, as Bayrou is expected to formally submit his resignation this morning (Tuesday). The immediate instability has rattled investors, pushing French government bond yields higher and raising fears of a potential sovereign debt downgrade.
Bayrou’s government fell after he called the vote in an attempt to push through an unpopular €44 billion ($51 billion) savings plan. This crisis follows a period of political fragmentation stemming from Macron’s decision last year to call a snap election, prompted by the far-right’s strong showing in the May 2024 European Parliament elections.
The political turmoil is set to spill onto the streets, with nationwide protests called for tomorrow (Wednesday) and another major mobilization planned for September 18. Macron’s options for a successor are limited, as both the far-right and far-left have signaled they would immediately challenge any centrist appointment, further complicating efforts to address France’s fiscal challenges.
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