French PM Bayrou Seeks Confidence Vote Amid Budget Crisis

French Prime Minister Francois Bayrou has called for a confidence vote in the National Assembly on September 8 to secure backing for his government’s plan to implement sweeping budget cuts aimed at reducing France's soaring public debt. Bayrou’s minority government faces strong opposition from parties including the far-right National Rally, the hard-left France Unbowed, and the Greens, all of whom have declared their intention to vote against the government. The confidence vote is critical, as a defeat would topple Bayrou’s government and compel President Emmanuel Macron to appoint a new prime minister or consider other political options amid a fragmented parliament. The announcement has already impacted financial markets, with French bond yields rising and the risk premium over German bonds widening sharply. Bayrou emphasized the urgency of addressing France’s debt crisis and framed the vote as a decisive moment for the country's future, while opposition leaders warned that the vote could mark the government's end. The vote precedes planned mass protests, underscoring the political and social tensions surrounding the budget measures.