DNA
PARIS: France has been thrown into fresh political turmoil after Prime Minister François Bayrou was ousted in a dramatic vote of confidence on Monday, triggered by fierce opposition to his proposed budget reforms.
Bayrou, who had called the surprise vote himself, described the moment as a “test of truth” and appealed to lawmakers to rally behind his debt-cutting measures. However, the outcome was never in doubt, with a broad coalition of opposition parties uniting against him.
The defeat marks a major setback for President Emmanuel Macron, who must now move swiftly to appoint a new prime minister. The Élysée Palace said Macron will name Bayrou’s successor “within days,” with speculation mounting over possible candidates. Economy Minister Bruno Le Maire, Interior Minister Gérald Darmanin, and former Prime Minister Élisabeth Borne are among the names circulating in Paris political circles.
France’s towering debt burden, which Bayrou had sought to confront with spending cuts and tax adjustments, remains unresolved. Critics argue that his proposals unfairly targeted public services, while supporters insist drastic measures are unavoidable to stabilize the country’s finances.
Analysts say Bayrou’s fall underlines the fragility of Macron’s government, which lacks an outright majority in the National Assembly and faces an emboldened opposition from both the left and far right.
“Removing Bayrou does not remove the problem,” commented one senior EU diplomat. “France’s fiscal crisis is still looming, and whoever takes over will face the same difficult choices.”
The political crisis comes at a sensitive time for France, with Paris under pressure from Brussels to meet EU deficit rules and maintain stability ahead of next year’s European elections.
For now, Bayrou’s departure leaves Macron scrambling to restore authority, as France once again finds itself wrestling with political instability and economic uncertainty.
