Macron Faces Crisis As PM Francois Bayrou Resigns After Confidence Vote Defeat

News In Short:

French Prime Minister Francois Bayrou resigned after losing a confidence vote, forcing President Emmanuel Macron to find his fifth PM in under two years. With debt at 114% of GDP, protests looming, and far-right leader Jordan Bardella leading in polls, France faces deep political and economic instability.

News In Detail:

Paris: French President Emmanuel Macron is searching for his fifth prime minister in less than two years after Prime Minister Francois Bayrou resigned on Tuesday following a parliamentary confidence vote defeat. Bayrou’s nine-month tenure ended amid widespread opposition to his controversial budget-tightening plans.

Bayrou submitted his resignation to Macron on Tuesday afternoon, with his government staying on in a caretaker capacity until a successor is named. The next prime minister will face the daunting task of uniting a deeply divided parliament to pass France’s 2025 budget, as the country grapples with a deficit nearly twice the EU’s 3% ceiling and a debt burden at 114% of GDP.

Successor Speculation

Defence Minister Sebastien Lecornu has emerged as a potential candidate, though Macron may opt for a centre-left figure or a technocrat to ease parliamentary gridlock. A government source suggested that Macron could name Bayrou’s replacement later on Tuesday.

Meanwhile, an RTL poll showed far-right National Rally (RN) leader Jordan Bardella as the public’s top choice for the next prime minister, with 43% support. RN chief Marine Le Pen and conservative Interior Minister Bruno Retailleau each garnered 36%. The RN has called on Macron to either resign or hold snap legislative elections — an option the president has dismissed after last year’s snap vote delivered a fragmented parliament.

Political and Economic Fallout

Socialist Party leader Olivier Faure declared that “it’s our turn to claim power,” as left-wing parties seek to exploit Macron’s weakened position. Businesses have also voiced concerns, with France Digitale warning that ongoing instability is hurting investment and hiring.

Adding to the turmoil, France is bracing for “Block Everything” protests on Wednesday, inspired by grassroots social media campaigns. Authorities fear disruptions to roads and train stations, with police chief Laurent Nunez announcing the deployment of 80,000 officers nationwide. Labour unions have also called for nationwide strikes and demonstrations on September 18.

Macron, who has been in office since 2017, now faces one of the toughest tests of his presidency as political instability deepens and public discontent grows.

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