Paris, France – 10 September 2025
In a move that deepens the political instability gripping the nation, French Prime Minister François Bayrou submitted his resignation on Tuesday, a day after losing a no-confidence vote in the National Assembly. The ousting of Bayrou, who had been in office for only nine months, marks the second government collapse in less than a year, leaving President Emmanuel Macron with a fragmented parliament and a mounting economic crisis.
The vote of no confidence, which was called by Bayrou himself in a high-stakes gamble to secure support for his controversial austerity budget, failed dramatically. With 364 deputies voting against him and only 194 in his favor, Bayrou’s minority government came crashing down. The defeat was a result of an unlikely alliance between left-wing parties and the far-right, united in their opposition to the government’s plan to cut public spending and tackle France’s ballooning debt.
Key Points:
* Budgetary Dispute: The vote was triggered by Prime Minister Bayrou’s proposed budget, which aimed to cut over €40 billion in public spending, including freezing welfare and scrapping two public holidays. The austerity measures were widely unpopular and became a flashpoint for opposition parties.
* A Cycle of Collapse: Bayrou’s resignation is the latest in a series of government collapses that have plagued France since President Macron’s decision to call a snap legislative election in June of last year, which resulted in a hung parliament with no single party holding a majority.
* Macron’s Difficult Choice: With Bayrou out, President Macron is tasked with finding his fifth prime minister since his second term began in 2022. The new prime minister will face the immense challenge of forming a new government and securing a budget agreement in a deeply divided parliament.
* Protests and Disruption: In response to the political crisis and the proposed austerity measures, a nationwide protest movement called “Block Everything” has emerged. Protesters have planned disruptions to transport, education, and other services across the country.
The political situation in France is becoming increasingly complex. The defeat of Bayrou’s government signals a growing inability of President Macron’s party to govern effectively in a hung parliament. The country now faces a period of unprecedented uncertainty, with no clear path forward to address its economic issues. Analysts believe the political turmoil could continue well into the future, as the far-right and left-wing parties continue to gain strength and capitalize on the government’s instability.
