French PM Bayrou Faces Fall Over 'Life-Threatening' Debt Crisis

French Prime Minister Francois Bayrou warned that France's excessive debt is "life-threatening" and defended a budget containing nearly 44 billion euros in austerity measures ahead of a confidence vote expected to topple his minority government. Bayrou called the confidence vote himself to break a political deadlock and argued that the risk of inaction was greater than the risk of losing power. He emphasized that France has not had a balanced budget for 51 years and asserted his plan would help the country escape its mounting debt in the coming years. Despite his appeals, opposition parties from across the political spectrum have united against him, making his government's fall highly likely. Bayrou acknowledged the possibility of his ousting, inviting his ministers for farewell drinks and stating there are worse things than being overthrown. The potential collapse of Bayrou's government poses a new challenge for President Emmanuel Macron amid ongoing diplomatic efforts related to the Ukraine war.