France is bracing for yet another political reset. President Emmanuel Macron will need to appoint a new prime minister in the coming days after lawmakers voted overwhelmingly to oust
François Bayrou’s government on Monday. It’s the third collapse of a French government in just over a year, underscoring the deep instability shaking Europe’s second-largest economy.
Bayrou, 74, had been in office for less than nine months before his gamble backfired. Convinced he could win support for his tough stance on slashing public spending, he called for a confidence vote—only to be voted out by a large majority, 364 to 194. Both the left and the far right seized the moment to unite against him, ending his short-lived tenure.
The fall of Bayrou’s government now forces Macron to find a fourth prime minister since the 2024 snap elections. With parliament fractured and no clear majority, every appointment has been a balancing act—and so far, none have survived.
Debt, discontent, and political deadlock
At the heart of Bayrou’s downfall was France’s ballooning debt, now at over €3.3 trillion, equal to 114% of GDP. He warned that ignoring the crisis would leave France at the mercy of foreign creditors, comparing it to being dominated by military force. But his push for €44 billion in budget cuts by 2026 proved deeply unpopular.
“The greatest risk was to not take one,” Bayrou told lawmakers in his final speech, arguing that the country couldn’t go on “doing politics as usual.” Still, opponents painted his austerity plan as too harsh and used the vote to take him down.
Macron’s shrinking options
Macron has said he’ll accept Bayrou’s resignation and announce a replacement “in the coming days.” But whoever he picks will face the same challenges: a hung parliament where rival parties can’t govern alone but can unite to block Macron’s choices.
Since Macron dissolved the National Assembly last year, hoping to strengthen his centrist alliance, French politics has been mired in gridlock. Instead of shoring up power, the election produced a splintered legislature that has repeatedly tied the president’s hands.
The far right, led by Marine Le Pen, is already pushing for yet another snap election, convinced her National Rally party could seize control this time. “A big country like France cannot live with a paper government, especially in a tormented and dangerous world,” she declared after the vote.
Looking ahead
For now, Macron retains strong influence on foreign policy and defense, but at home his agenda is faltering. With two years left in his presidency, he risks becoming a lame duck if the cycle of government collapses continues.
The next prime minister will inherit a politically paralyzed legislature, urgent budget pressures, and a public increasingly frustrated with the country’s direction. Whether Macron looks inside his own circle or tries to strike a broader deal, the clock is ticking. Photo by Jacques Paquier, Wikimedia commons.