French Government Collapses After Prime Minister Ousted
PARIS, FRANCE — France has been thrown into fresh political turmoil after Members of Parliament voted to oust Prime Minister François Bayrou, leading to the collapse of the government. The no-confidence motion passed overwhelmingly with 364 votes in favor and 194 against, ending Bayrou’s tenure less than nine months after he was appointed by President Emmanuel Macron.
Bayrou’s downfall was largely tied to his controversial €44 billion austerity plan, which included scrapping two public holidays and cutting spending in an effort to curb France’s mounting debt. The proposals sparked fierce opposition across the political spectrum.
This marks the third time in a year that France has lost a prime minister through a parliamentary vote, following the earlier removals of Gabriel Attal and Michel Barnier.
President Macron now faces the daunting task of appointing a fourth prime minister in less than twelve months, at a time when his government lacks a clear parliamentary majority. The crisis also threatens the passage of the 2026 budget and raises pressure for possible snap elections. Meanwhile, economic concerns are deepening, with France’s debt surpassing €3 trillion and investor confidence wavering, fueling fears that the country could become the eurozone’s next financial flashpoint.