Macron Faces Fourth Prime Minister Resignation Amid France Government Collapse

French President Emmanuel Macron is facing significant political instability as he seeks to appoint his fifth prime minister in less than two years following the recent collapse of Prime Minister François Bayrou's government after a vote of no confidence in the National Assembly. Bayrou, a centrist, was ousted due to opposition to his austerity measures aimed at reducing France's soaring national debt, which stands at 114% of GDP, and his failure to secure support for a national budget amid a deeply divided legislature. This crisis follows the earlier downfall of Michel Barnier, who lasted just over three months, and highlights the fractured state of France's parliament, split among Macron's coalition, the leftist New Popular Front, and Marine Le Pen's National Rally. Macron's repeated changes in leadership underscore the challenges of governing amid rising economic pressures and political fragmentation, with no clear successor capable of uniting the factions. The instability comes at a critical time as Macron continues to play a key role in opposing Russia's war in Ukraine while managing tense international relations and domestic economic challenges. Despite the turmoil, Macron remains in office but cannot run again in 2027, raising questions about the future political landscape in France.