French PM Bayrou Resigns After Confidence Vote Defeat

François Bayrou's tenure as French Prime Minister ended after just under nine months when his government lost a self-called vote of confidence, marking the fourth shortest government in the history of the Fifth Republic. Bayrou faced significant opposition in parliament, particularly regarding his proposed €44 billion in budget cuts aimed at addressing France's soaring debt and budget deficits. The government collapse followed a political deadlock exacerbated by President Macron's coalition pact, which split the National Assembly into three factions, making effective governance difficult. Bayrou justified the confidence vote as a necessary 'test of truth' to confront France’s economic challenges and warned of the consequences of unchecked debt, drawing comparisons to European neighbors like Belgium and Germany. This political instability follows the brief premiership of Michel Barnier and reflects ongoing struggles within France’s fragmented legislature. Bayrou remains a key centrist figure with a long history in French politics, advocating for European unity and socioeconomic reforms.