Paris – French President Emmanuel Macron is currently seeking to appoint his fifth prime minister in less than two years after opposition parties united to remove centre-right Prime Minister Francois Bayrou due to unpopular budget-cutting plans, reports 24brussels.
On Monday, Francois Bayrou, who lost a vote of confidence in parliament, will formally tender his resignation to Macron on Tuesday. The upcoming prime minister will face the monumental task of uniting a fragmented parliament and securing approval for next year’s budget.
France’s parliament ousted the government on Monday amid growing national debt concerns, exacerbating a political crisis that jeopardizes the stability of the eurozone’s second-largest economy. Lawmakers voted 364 to 194 to remove Bayrou and his minority government.
The new government is expected to prioritize passing a budget, echoing the challenges faced by Bayrou nine months ago. Securing support from an increasingly divided parliament will prove to be an arduous task.
Potential candidates for the role include Defence Minister Sebastien Lecornu, alongside suggestions for a candidate from the centre-left or a technocrat.
How are socialists and greens pushing for power now?
There are currently no restrictions on Macron regarding whom he may select or the timeline for the appointment. His office confirmed that he would announce the new prime minister in the coming days.
The Socialist Party believes it is their opportunity to govern.
“I would like the left, the greens, to take power. We need to assert control,”
stated Socialist Party leader Olivier Faure on France Inter radio. Meanwhile, the far-right National Rally has reiterated calls for a snap parliamentary or presidential election, although Macron has dismissed both proposals. Last year’s decision to call a snap election resulted in an even more fractured legislative body.
What economic challenges is France currently facing?
France currently holds the largest deficit as a percentage of GDP in the eurozone, leading to higher costs for servicing its debt compared to Spain, with spreads against benchmark German 10-year bonds reaching a four-month high. A credit rating downgrade could impede France’s ability to secure low-interest funding from investors, potentially exacerbating its debt challenges.
Why was the prime minister before Bayrou ousted?
The prime minister preceding François Bayrou was Michel Barnier, whose government was also removed by a vote of no confidence in December 2024, leading to Bayrou’s appointment. Barnier’s government was primarily ousted due to his use of a constitutional provision (Article 49.3) to pass a social security financing bill without parliamentary approval.