France’s newly appointed Prime Minister François Bayrou, the country’s fourth prime minister in three years, will face a no-confidence vote in parliament today.
The move threatens to deepen France’s political crisis at a time when Europe is facing serious challenges, including Russia’s war in Ukraine, China’s growing influence, and trade tensions with the United States.
The vote on the no-confidence motion against the government is scheduled for Monday afternoon. Despite Bayrou’s intensive negotiations and public statements on the budget bill since August 25, it became clear by the end of the week that he had failed to secure a parliamentary majority.
Opposition forces have already said they will vote to dismiss the prime minister.
If Bayrou loses the vote, President Emmanuel Macron will have to appoint a new prime minister who can ensure the budget is passed by parliament.
Macron, however, has so far ruled out dissolving parliament, as he did last year.
