French Parliament ousts PM Francois Bayrou after 9 months, Emmanuel Macron faces new crisis

This marks the first time in modern French history that a premier has been ousted in a confidence vote rather than a no-confidence motion.

Bayrou, 72, blindsided even allies by calling the risky ballot to push through his austerity budget plan, which sought €44 billion ($52 billion) in savings to curb France’s mounting debt. Instead, 364 deputies withheld their confidence, compared to 194 who supported him, AFP reported.

Under Article 50 of the French Constitution, Bayrou is required to resign.

He will formally submit his resignation to President Emmanuel Macron on Tuesday morning, according to aides.

Bayrou is the sixth prime minister under Macron since 2017 and the fifth since 2022,  underscoring the president’s domestic fragility as he also leads high-stakes diplomacy over the Ukraine war.

In a final address, Bayrou defended his gamble, warning lawmakers:“The biggest risk was not to take one… Our debt pile is life-threatening."

"You have the power to overthrow the government, but not to erase reality,” he reportedly said.

What's next for Emmanuel Macron?

Macron must now decide whether to appoint a seventh prime minister capable of forging a compromise with parliament, or call snap elections — a move fraught with risk, given his centrist bloc’s declining popularity.

With his approval ratings sagging and the opposition emboldened, analysts warn Macron faces one of the toughest domestic challenges of his presidency.