France’s PM François Bayrou ousted in a confidence vote, forcing President Macron to seek his fourth prime minister in a year amid mounting debt and political gridlock. France’s political crisis deepened Monday as lawmakers overwhelmingly voted to oust Prime Minister François Bayrou, forcing President Emmanuel Macron to seek his fourth head of government in just 12 months. The 364-194 vote against Bayrou marked a dramatic rejection of his call for sweeping public spending cuts to rein in France’s mounting debt, reported The Associated Press.
Bayrou, a centrist appointed by Macron last December, had gambled that legislators would back his fiscal vision. Instead, both left-wing and far-right blocs united to topple his minority government, which now must resign after less than nine months in office. The move plunges France into renewed uncertainty, with no clear successor in sight and Macron’s domestic agenda increasingly paralyzed.
Macron’s office confirmed he will accept Bayrou’s resignation Tuesday and name a new prime minister “in the coming days.” The president retains control over foreign policy and defense, but his ability to govern at home is severely weakened. (Read More)
