French government collapses following Prime Minister Bayrou’s loss of confidence vote

Zuko Komisa

The French government officially collapsed today after Prime Minister François Bayrou lost a no-confidence vote over proposed budget cuts aimed at addressing rising national debt.
This marks the second government to fall under President Macron’s leadership in nine months, plunging France into renewed political instability.
The defeat, with a significant majority in parliament, raises the prospect of a new Prime Minister being appointed soon or potentially, a snap general election.

The French government has officially collapsed today after Prime Minister François Bayrou lost a no-confidence vote in parliament.

The vote, triggered by Bayrou’s proposed budget cuts aimed at tackling the country’s rising debt, has plunged France into a period of political turmoil.

This is the second time in just nine months that a government has fallen under President Emmanuel Macron, highlighting the ongoing political instability.

While a new Prime Minister is expected to be appointed in the coming days, the possibility of snap elections remains a significant concern.

The motion to oust Bayrou was passed in the National Assembly with 364 votes against the Prime Minister and 194 in his favour, well above the threshold needed to topple the government.

The defeat signals a major setback for President Macron, who is now tasked with finding a new leader who can command a majority in a deeply divided parliament.