Bayrou ousted as French prime minister after confidence vote defeat

Tuesday 09 September 2025 - 08:50

By: Dakir Madiha

Bayrou ousted as French prime minister after confidence vote defeat

François Bayrou was removed from his position as French prime minister today after losing a confidence vote in the National Assembly, marking the end of his nine-month tenure. The motion against him passed with 364 votes to 194, as opposition parties united to reject his leadership.

Bayrou is expected to submit his resignation to President Emmanuel Macron on Tuesday, according to sources close to the prime minister. The Elysée Palace confirmed that Macron will appoint a new prime minister within the next few days.

Austerity budget ignites criticism

The loss comes after Bayrou’s controversial €44 billion austerity budget proposal, which aimed to cut spending over three years. The plan included reductions to pensions and healthcare, sparking weeks of intense parliamentary debate and public backlash. Bayrou had called the confidence vote in a bid to end the political deadlock over the budget, arguing it was necessary to address France’s mounting debt.

In his final address to Parliament, Bayrou defended his decision and warned against avoiding tough measures. “France’s debt is life-threatening,” he stated, urging lawmakers to confront the economic reality rather than preserve the status quo.

Political instability deepens

Bayrou’s departure leaves President Macron facing a tumultuous political landscape. He must now select a seventh prime minister to navigate a divided Parliament or consider calling snap elections. This marks the second instance of a French prime minister falling to a confidence vote within a year, following Michel Barnier’s three-month tenure.

Far-right leader Marine Le Pen called for immediate elections, describing Bayrou’s government as a “phantom.” Meanwhile, left-wing leader Jean-Luc Mélenchon of La France Insoumise declared Bayrou’s fall a victory for the people and demanded Macron’s resignation. Socialist leader Boris Vallaud proposed that his party could lead a government offering a fresh political course.

Mounting social unrest

The political crisis coincides with growing social tension. A left-wing group, “Bloquons Tout” (“Let’s Block Everything”), has announced a day of protests on Wednesday, while trade unions have called for nationwide strikes on September 18. The coming weeks are expected to test France’s ability to manage both political and social unrest.

Uncertainty looms over whether any new administration can achieve stability in the current parliamentary climate, leaving France in a state of political limbo.