Macron Faces Political Blow as French Parliament Set to Oust PM Bayrou.
French Prime Minister Francois Bayrou is on the verge of being removed after calling a surprise no-confidence vote just nine months into office, deepening France’s political turmoil and dealing a setback to President Emmanuel Macron.
Bayrou’s move comes amid opposition resistance to his 44-billion-euro ($52 billion) budget savings plan, aimed at reducing France’s debt. With his government in the minority, it is widely expected that the National Assembly will vote him out. He has held talks with opposition leaders, including Marine Le Pen, in a last-ditch attempt to retain power.
If Bayrou is ousted, Macron is likely to appoint a new prime minister, possibly from the centre-left, rather than call snap elections. Bayrou would become the second consecutive PM removed mid-term after Michel Barnier in December.
Bayrou, a former education and justice minister, returned as Macron’s sixth PM following Barnier’s short-lived tenure. His government’s budget aimed to cut the deficit from 5.4% to 4.6% of GDP but faced stiff opposition. Macron now confronts domestic discontent, with polls showing 64% of the public want him to resign, while France faces social tensions over budget cuts and ongoing international responsibilities, including Ukraine.
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