- By Shivangi Sharma
- Mon, 08 Sep 2025 11:31 PM (IST)
- Source:JND
France has plunged into political turmoil after Prime Minister Francois Bayrou’s government collapsed on Monday, following a decisive defeat in a parliamentary vote of no confidence. The dramatic development has cast a shadow over President Emmanuel Macron’s leadership and the stability of the eurozone’s second-largest economy.
At the heart of the crisis was Bayrou’s controversial proposal to slash USD 51 billion from government spending in an effort to reduce France’s growing fiscal deficit. The plan included scrapping two public holidays and freezing state expenditure, measures that sparked widespread opposition both within parliament and across the country.
Bayrou, a 74-year-old political veteran, had only been in office for nine months. In a risky political gamble, he called the confidence vote himself in hopes of pressuring lawmakers to endorse his austerity package. Instead, the move backfired spectacularly. A total of 364 MPs voted against him, while only 194 supported his government, well above the 280 votes required to bring it down.
A Second Collapse in Less Than a Year
Bayrou’s ouster marks the second collapse of a French government in less than a year. His predecessor, Michel Barnier, also lost a no-confidence vote last December, underscoring the political fragility that has gripped Macron’s presidency.
As Assembly President Yaël Braun-Pivet announced the results, lawmakers erupted into applause. Bayrou, seated with a stony expression, walked out of parliament soon after, heading to his residence at Hotel Matignon under the watchful eyes of television cameras.
Bayrou is expected to formally submit his resignation to President Macron on Tuesday morning. The Elysee Palace confirmed that Macron will appoint a new prime minister “in a matter of days.” The president faces limited options, with opposition parties emboldened and the ruling coalition weakened.
A Nation in Uncertainty
For now, France stands at a crossroads. The failed austerity push and Bayrou’s abrupt downfall highlight deep divisions over how to balance fiscal discipline with public welfare. As Macron weighs his next move, the political uncertainty threatens to paralyze decision-making in Paris at a time when European unity and economic stability are already under strain.
