Opposition Lines Up Against Bayrou
Prime Minister François Bayrou’s minority government is under intense pressure as three major opposition parties have confirmed they will vote against him in the upcoming confidence motion scheduled for September 8. The Socialists have ruled out any support, with leader Olivier Faure calling it “unthinkable.” Both the far-right National Rally and the Greens have also announced they will withhold their backing, leaving the government highly exposed.
Economic Challenges and Planned Cuts
Bayrou has sought to take the initiative by highlighting France’s fiscal difficulties ahead of the debate on the 2026 budget, which includes €43.8 billion in proposed savings. Following this announcement, he plans to submit the confidence motion for his center-right coalition, stressing the urgency of addressing the country’s financial situation. Lacking a parliamentary majority, the government faces a strong possibility of defeat.
Public Unrest and Political Uncertainty
The proposed austerity measures have prompted calls for a general strike and nationwide demonstrations on September 10, though the organizers remain unknown. France’s public debt has reached 114 percent of GDP, among the highest in the eurozone. If Bayrou’s government falls, President Emmanuel Macron could either appoint a new prime minister, maintain Bayrou in a caretaker capacity, or call for early elections. Previously, in late 2024, Macron lost his former prime minister, Michel Barnier, after only three months in office due to a no-confidence vote over the budget.
