Meanwhile, Francois Bayrou, the French Prime Minister, took a political slap down on Monday. His was shortly after ousted from government in a confidence vote in France’s National Assembly. This decision came at the height of intense debate over the nation’s fiscal crisis. The country’s politicians continue to find themselves at an impasse despite a budget deficit that is expected to reach 5.8% of GDP next year.
Bayrou’s administration suggested the biggest possible cuts to spending and tax hikes geared towards closing the ever-expanding deficit. The government has set a goal of at least 44 billion euros, or $51 billion worth of cutbacks. This action is the centerpiece of its proposals for the upcoming 2026 budget. The government’s ambitious goal was to bring the deficit down to 4.6% of GDP by 2026. Despite these efforts, Bayrou struggled to garner support from political factions across the spectrum, including both the right and left.
In an unusual move, Bayrou went even further, taking the extraordinary step of launching a no-confidence motion against his own government. He knew better than most that he likely didn’t have the widespread support necessary to withstand challenge. This decision is illustrative of the highly charged political environment in France, where cracks in the French political landscape have been deepening.
Bayrou’s ousting—by all accounts a personal affront to the centrist politician—marks a dramatic pivot in French leadership. He is the fifth prime minister to be ousted in less than two years. His predecessor, Michel Barnier before him, had to survive a no-confidence vote after first trying to use special constitutional powers to do so. Barnier’s administration fell in December, showing that recent French governance is full of this volatility and drama.
With Bayrou now gone, President Emmanuel Macron will have to appoint a new prime minister. Analysts expect Macron to appoint another like-minded centrist ally to head the expected minority government. This pragmatic choice would empower him to promote environmental stewardship while avoiding alienating this important constituency in a politically divided landscape.
France’s short-term budgetary deficit is a significant existential threat. It is even above European Union standards, which mandate that member states keep their deficits under 3% of GDP. The need for strong governance and prudent fiscal practices is more urgent than ever with these recent actions.