François Bayrou is standing down after becoming the first French prime minister in modern history to be removed by a confidence vote, leaving President Emmanuel Macron facing fresh political turmoil.

François Bayrou’s nine-month tenure as prime minister is drawing to a close after the French National Assembly voted overwhelmingly against his government on Monday evening. In a move without precedent in modern French politics, Bayrou himself called a confidence vote in an attempt to break a deadlock over his austerity budget. Instead, 364 deputies declared no confidence, with just 194 voting in his favour.

Bayrou’s final stand

Defending his high-risk gamble, Bayrou told MPs that “the biggest risk was not to take one, to let things continue without anything changing… and have business as usual.” He described France’s soaring national debt as “life-threatening” and insisted that his plan would allow the country “in a few years’ time [to] escape the inexorable tide of debt that is submerging it.” Yet, despite a passionate appeal, the result left him with no choice but to step down in line with the constitution.

A fresh headache for Macron

Bayrou is expected to hand in his resignation at 1.30pm Tuesday – making him the sixth prime minister under President Emmanuel Macron, and the fifth since 2022. The president now faces one of the most difficult decisions of his leadership: appoint another prime minister to attempt a fragile compromise, or call snap elections in a bid to strengthen his position in parliament. Polls suggest, however, that neither option offers certainty, with Macron’s approval rating at record lows and 64% of French people saying they would prefer he resign.

Rising pressure from left and right

The confidence vote has further emboldened Macron’s opponents. Marine Le Pen, buoyed by the possibility of her appeal being heard well ahead of the 2027 presidential election, demanded immediate legislative elections, dismissing Bayrou’s government as “phantom.” Meanwhile, France Unbowed leader Jean-Luc Mélenchon urged Macron to “leave,” while Socialist leader Boris Vallaud argued that the left should be tasked with forming the next government.

Social tensions mount

The political crisis comes as France braces for social unrest. The collective Bloquons Tout has called for nationwide protests on 10th September, with trade unions preparing strike action for 18th September. With public discontent mounting and the far right sensing its best chance yet at power, Bayrou’s downfall marks the beginning of what could prove a defining chapter in French political history.

See also: 

‘Block Everything’ protest set to go ahead on 10th September despite fall of French PM

Photo credit: Rama, via Wikimedia Commons