(VOVWORLD) - France has been plunged into a new political crisis with the defeat of Prime Minister Francois Bayrou at a confidence vote in the National Assembly.
 French Prime Minister Francois Bayrou speaks during a debate before a confidence vote on the budget issue during an extraordinary session at the National Assembly in Paris, France, September 8, 2025. (Photo:REUTERS/Benoit Tessier) |
The defeat – by 364 votes to 194 – means Bayrou was removed after less than nine months in office, forcing President Emmanuel Macron to look for his fourth prime minister in a year.
Bayrou’s defeat could lead to a long political deadlock in France, which is already struggling with a budget deficit and global challenges like the conflicts in Ukraine and Gaza, as well as shifting US policies under President Donald Trump. By law, Bayrou’s government must resign and submit its resignation to President Macron.
Speaking to the deputies Monday afternoon ahead of the vote, Bayrou stressed that France's excessive debt was "life-threatening" for the country. According to official figures, France's public debt stood at about 3.3 trillion euros, or 114% of its GDP, at the end of the first quarter of 2025.
Bayrou argued that austerity was needed to keep France strong, but opposition parties united to vote it down.