France is heading toward yet another political shake-up after Prime Minister François Bayrou lost a confidence vote in parliament on Monday, triggering the collapse of his government.
The defeat means President Emmanuel Macron will now be forced to appoint France’s fifth prime minister in less than two years.
Confidence Vote
Bayrou received the backing of just 194 members of parliament, while 364 voted against him.
He is expected to formally resign in the coming days.
Francois Bayrou
The vote reflects deep divisions in a parliament where Macron’s centrist alliance has failed to maintain a majority.
The president must now decide whether to appoint another prime minister under the same fragile configuration or risk calling snap elections.
Analysts say a new election would likely yield a similar outcome, leaving Macron with a fractured legislature.
Stepping down himself has been floated in speculation, though Macron has dismissed that option in past statements.
Instability at a Critical Time
The crisis comes as Macron pushes European unity on Ukraine while Russia presses its offensive in the east.
French leadership instability raises questions about Paris’s ability to lead on defense and foreign policy.
The current deadlock can be traced back to June 2024, when Macron called a snap election after his party was routed in the European Parliament vote.
He hoped for what he called a “clear majority in serenity and harmony.”
Instead, the move backfired, producing a divided National Assembly.
Revolving Door of PMs
Michel Barnier, appointed last September, lasted just three months before losing support.
Bayrou followed, only to meet the same fate amid disputes over fiscal policy.
Observers note the rapid turnover marks one of the most unstable periods of the post-war Fifth Republic.
Bayrou pushed austerity measures aimed at cutting spending to address France’s ballooning debt.
He argued that without action, future generations would be saddled with crushing liabilities.
But a majority in parliament opposed his approach, preferring higher taxes over spending cuts.
Macron could attempt to install another centrist figure to try to steer a minority government.
Alternatively, he could gamble on new elections — but polling suggests this would not resolve the gridlock.
For now, the country faces uncertainty as Macron weighs his next move.
