Opposition Readies Vote Against Bayrou
Prime Minister François Bayrou’s minority administration is facing mounting pressure as three key opposition parties have announced plans to vote against him in the confidence motion set for September 8. The Socialists have openly rejected any support, with party leader Olivier Faure calling it “out of the question.” The far-right National Rally and the Greens have also declared they will not back Bayrou, leaving his government in a vulnerable position.
Fiscal Strain and Proposed Austerity
Bayrou is moving to frame the debate by outlining France’s economic challenges ahead of discussions on the 2026 budget, which proposes €43.8 billion in spending cuts. After presenting this assessment, he intends to call the confidence vote for his center-right coalition, emphasizing the urgent need for fiscal discipline. Without a parliamentary majority, the administration faces a high risk of defeat.
Public Discontent and Political Uncertainty
The austerity plan has sparked warnings of a general strike and nationwide protests on September 10, though the organizers remain unidentified. France’s national debt has risen to 114 percent of GDP, ranking among the highest in the eurozone. If Bayrou’s government falls, President Emmanuel Macron could either appoint a new prime minister, retain Bayrou in a caretaker role, or call for early elections. In late 2024, Macron lost his previous prime minister, Michel Barnier, after only three months due to a no-confidence vote over the budget.
