French PM loses confidence vote as country’s political crisis deepens
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France’s prime minister has failed in a last-minute bid to save his job, with the country’s National Assembly ousting him in a confidence vote.
Francois Bayrou – who entered office just nine months ago – is required to submit the resignation of his minority government after losing Monday afternoon’s vote by an overwhelming 364-194.
The outgoing prime minister is paying the price for what appeared to be a staggering political miscalculation, as he gambled that lawmakers would back his view that France should slash public spending to address its growing economic issues.
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Earlier in the day, Mr Bayrou called for unity as he attempted to win support for his both his premiership and his ambitious plan to curb France’s public spending.
Arguing the country’s spiralling public deficits are threatening the future of the European Union’s second-largest economy, Mr Bayrou said state debts will weigh on future generations and leave France vulnerable to foreign creditors.
“Our country works, thinks it’s getting richer, but keeps getting poorer,” he said, pausing for sips of water when hecklers tried to drown him out.
Mr Bayou had proposed to cut a huge €44bn (£38.1bn) in spending in 2026.
But his plan – which included the removal of two public holidays – was heavily criticised by his political rivals, who now see a golden opportunity to bring him down.
Addressing the confidence vote, he said: “Our country has an urgent need for lucidity, it has the most urgent need for unity. But it is division that threatens to prevail, that threatens its image and reputation.”
Macron must now appoint a new PM. Pic: AP
Mr Bayrou also appealed to assembly members to vote with their conscience.
He said: “I am speaking to you by taking our principles literally, principles set out in article 27 of the constitution: ‘The right to vote of members of parliament is personal’.
“This means that, in principle, slogans have no place here. What does have a place here is the personal conscience of each of the nation’s members of parliament.”
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