France plunged into political uncertainty on Monday after lawmakers overwhelmingly voted to remove Prime Minister François Bayrou in a dramatic confidence vote, forcing President Emmanuel Macron to search for a fourth premier in less than a year.
Bayrou, 74, lost the vote by 364 to 194, a crushing defeat that highlighted deep parliamentary opposition to his austerity-driven agenda, according to AP.
The veteran centrist, who assumed office in December, had gambled on securing support for sweeping public spending cuts to rein in France’s surging debt. Instead, rival parties from the left and far right joined forces to oust him.
The result means Bayrou’s minority government must now submit its resignation to Macron, marking the third collapse of a French administration in 12 months and extending the political deadlock gripping Europe’s second-largest economy.
Debt crisis at the centre
Before the vote, Bayrou issued a stark warning to lawmakers, describing France’s mounting debt as a “silent, invisible, and unbearable hemorrhage” and comparing excessive borrowing to “submission through military force.”
“You have the power to overthrow the government, but you do not have the power to erase reality,” Bayrou declared. “Spending will continue to increase and the debt burden, already unbearable, will grow heavier and more costly.”
At the end of Q1 2025, France’s public debt stood at €3.35 trillion, or 114% of GDP, with debt servicing consuming around 7% of state spending. Bayrou had proposed cutting €44 billion in 2026 after last year’s deficit hit 5.8% of GDP, far above the EU’s 3% threshold.
Macron under pressure
The vote leaves Macron battling to avoid prolonged paralysis as his presidency enters a critical phase. Although he retains wide powers over foreign policy and defence, his domestic agenda is faltering, and analysts warn he risks becoming a lame duck if gridlock persists.
Since Macron dissolved the National Assembly in June 2024, his governments have survived on fragile alliances. Two previous prime ministers, Gabriel Attal and Michel Barnier, were ousted within months. Bayrou’s exit deepens the perception of a government adrift amid economic strains and global crises, including the wars in Ukraine and Gaza.
Le Pen demands fresh polls
Far-right leader Marine Le Pen quickly called for snap elections, arguing that France needs a stable government.
“A big country like France cannot live with a paper government, especially in a tormented and dangerous world,” she told lawmakers.
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