France’s government is once again in crisis as Prime Minister François Bayrou is expected to lose a key confidence vote, ending his nine months in office
At 74, Bayrou called the vote himself, attempting to force lawmakers to support his austerity plan aimed at cutting €44bn in public spending.
He warned that unchecked borrowing, now equal to 114% of GDP, would leave younger generations burdened for decades.
The gamble appears to have backfired. France’s parliament remains deadlocked after President Emmanuel Macron’s snap election in 2024 produced a fractured assembly.
His weakened centrist bloc has been unable to form stable alliances, leaving the government vulnerable and unable to pass major reforms.
The political divide is feeding unrest across the country. Far-right leader Jordan Bardella has been drawing enthusiastic crowds, positioning himself as a rising challenger.
His message on immigration and economic frustration has found strong support among voters looking for alternatives.
On the left, Socialist MPs argue that France needs a different approach—combining targeted savings with investment in green projects and higher taxes on the wealthy.
Beyond parliament, pressure is mounting in the streets. A new grassroots movement, “Let’s Block Everything,” has called for a nationwide strike on 10 September.
Organisers want to bring daily life to a halt, reflecting anger over rising prices, heavy taxes, and years of political gridlock.
This follows a long tradition of French protests over austerity measures and public spending cuts.
Macron, whose popularity has sunk to its lowest level since taking office in 2017, shows no sign of resigning or calling another election.
Instead, he is expected to search for a new prime minister who can manage a fragile minority government.
But with parliament split and public frustration growing, any new leader will face the same struggles that undermined Bayrou.
France’s political system now sits at a turning point, with street protests, rising far-right momentum, and growing disillusionment threatening to shape the next phase of Macron’s presidency.