France has been plunged into a new political crisis with the defeat of Prime Minister François Bayrou at a confidence vote in the National Assembly.
The defeat – by 364 votes to 194 – means that Bayrou will on Tuesday present his government's resignation to President Emmanuel Macron, who must now decide how to replace him. Macron's office said this would happen in the coming days.
The options include naming a new prime minister from the centre-right; pivoting to the left and finding a name compatible with the Socialist Party; and dissolving parliament so new elections are held.
Macron's bitter enemies in the far-left France Unbowed party are calling for him personally to resign, but few commentators think it likely.
France is thus on its way to getting a fifth prime minister in less than two years - a dismal record that underscores the drift and disenchantment that have marked the president's second term.
Bayrou's fall came after he staked his government on an emergency confidence debate on the question of French debt, which he labeled as an existential threat.
Despite proposed measures to cut costs, such as scrapping national holidays and freezing welfare payments, Bayrou's attempts to sway parliament were unsuccessful, as opposition parties united against him.
Political analysts have described Bayrou's confidence vote as an act of political suicide. His warnings regarding financial doom fell on deaf ears, and upcoming protests against Macron's policies suggest widespread public discontent.
As France grapples with an impending financial crisis, the need for financial restraint clashes with Macron's initiatives for increased defense funding and pension reforms, creating a complex backdrop for potential successors.
Observers suggest that Macron may consider another prime minister from within his camp, avoiding the left-wing options that seek to revoke significant policies he has implemented.
