THE French government has collapsed after parliament voted to oust Prime Minister François Bayrou on Monday, plunging the country into fresh political turmoil and leaving President Emmanuel Macron facing one of the toughest decisions of his presidency.
Bayrou, who had been in office for just nine months, became the first premier in modern French history to be toppled by a confidence vote rather than a no-confidence motion. The shock outcome followed his controversial decision to gamble on a high-risk vote of confidence over his deeply unpopular austerity budget.
The spending plan had aimed to cut €44 billion ($52 billion) to rein in France’s ballooning debt, which Bayrou described as “life-threatening.”
In the decisive vote at the National Assembly, 364 MPs withheld confidence in his government, compared to 194 who supported him, triggering his resignation under Article 50 of the French Constitution.
“In line with the Constitution, the prime minister must submit the resignation of his government,” Assembly Speaker Yaël Braun-Pivet announced.
Bayrou is expected to formally tender his resignation on Tuesday morning, according to aides.
Defending his decision, Bayrou insisted that doing nothing would have been the greater risk.
“The biggest risk was not to take one, to let things continue without anything changing… and have business as usual,” he told lawmakers in a final plea before the vote.
“You have the power to overthrow the government,” he said defiantly, “but not to erase reality.”
His remarks did little to sway deputies across the political spectrum, who accused him of trying to force through a budget that would hurt working-class families while failing to unite parliament.
Bayrou’s ouster makes him the sixth prime minister under Macron since 2017 — and the fifth since 2022. The president must now either appoint yet another premier to attempt building consensus in an increasingly fragmented parliament, or call snap elections that could dramatically reshape France’s political landscape.
Neither option offers certainty. Macron’s centrist bloc has been weakened since losing its majority in 2022, while right-wing and left-wing factions have grown stronger.
According to a poll by Odoxa-Backbone for Le Figaro, 64% of French citizens want Macron himself to resign, while 77% disapprove of his leadership — his lowest rating since entering office. Macron, however, has ruled out stepping down.
The Socialist Party (PS) has indicated willingness to lead a new government, but doubts remain over its ability to hold together a parliamentary majority. Key Macron allies, including Justice Minister Gérald Darmanin, could be rejected by left-wing parties if nominated.
Meanwhile, far-right leader Marine Le Pen recently dealt a blow by her fraud conviction but still appealing her five-year ban from office seized on the collapse to demand snap elections.
The political crisis comes amid mounting social unrest. A left-wing collective, “Block Everything,” has called for a day of action on Wednesday, while France’s trade unions have scheduled a nationwide strike for September 18.
With the 2027 presidential election looming, analysts warn the far right could be poised for its strongest challenge yet if Macron’s government fails to restore stability.
Bayrou’s downfall now throws France into uncertainty, with Macron expected to announce his next steps in the coming days.