Displaying items by tag: François Bayrou

France faces a huge political crisis after lawmakers voted to oust prime minister François Bayrou’s minority government over his controversial austerity measures. His plan to cut €43.8 billion from the budget, including the elimination of public holidays, proved too bitter for lawmakers to swallow, leading to his removal by a wide margin. Emmanuel Macron must now name a fifth prime minister in less than two years, but his options are fraught. Any new premier will confront the same fractured parliament, where ideological divides between socialists and conservatives leave little space for compromise. A snap election would most likely lead to another hung parliament, while a technical caretaker government risks political paralysis. Though Macron’s resignation as president is highly improbable, his authority appears diminished. Financial markets are watching nervously as doubts grow over France’s ability to curb its soaring debt and deficits. Latest update: a new prime minister has been sworn in, but a grassroots group ‘Let’s block everything’ organised widespread protests, some violent, on 10 September. See

There has been widespread criticism after prime minister François Bayrou proposed eliminating two public holidays - Easter Monday and 8 May (Victory in Europe day) - to help reduce the national budget deficit. He argues that France’s debt is a critical threat, increasing by €5,000 every second, and that cutting holidays is part of a necessary strategy to recover €43.8 billion in savings. The proposal comes alongside other austerity measures, including freezing public spending, ending tax breaks for the wealthy, and reducing the civil service, while also increasing defence spending by €3.5 billion in 2026. His plan faces fierce opposition from the far-right and left-wing parties, with threats of a no-confidence vote which could topple the government, as happened to Bayrou’s predecessor. Critics have decried the holiday cuts as attacks on French heritage and workers' rights. Despite the political risks and deep parliamentary divisions, Bayrou insists the reforms are essential to preserve national stability. President Macron, although deeply unpopular, has consistently resisted suggestions that he should step down before the end of his second term, in 2027.