French PM Bayrou Faces Confidence Vote Amid Political Crisis

French Prime Minister François Bayrou has called for a confidence vote on September 8 to secure parliamentary approval for his austerity budget plan aimed at reducing the country's soaring public debt by around 44 billion euros. His minority centrist government faces strong opposition from both the far-right, led by Marine Le Pen, and left-wing parties, including the French Socialist Party, which has declared it 'inconceivable' to support Bayrou. The vote comes amid growing social unrest, with a nationwide protest and blockade planned for September 10, threatening further instability. Bayrou acknowledges the high stakes, warning that failure to secure support would make government action impossible, though he has not specified his next steps. Despite efforts to engage the public through media, Bayrou has struggled to gain popular backing, and the political situation remains precarious as France grapples with a deep debt crisis and fractured parliament. The outcome of the confidence vote could determine the survival of Bayrou's government and prompt renewed political instability in France.