France Faces Fifth Prime Minister After Government Collapse Amid Debt Crisis

French President Emmanuel Macron faces a deepening political crisis following the ousting of Prime Minister François Bayrou after a no-confidence vote spurred by opposition to his austerity budget plan aimed at reducing France's soaring debt. Bayrou's government, which proposed cutting €44 billion in spending to lower the deficit, collapsed amidst a fragmented parliament and widespread resistance across political factions. Macron is tasked with appointing his fifth prime minister in under two years, with the new leader needing to navigate a hung parliament split among right, left, and far-right forces, while facing public unrest reminiscent of the Yellow Vest protests. The political instability is heightened by looming protests and strikes, and business leaders warn of economic harm due to uncertainty and stalled investments. Macron is under pressure to select a technocratic prime minister capable of brokering consensus, possibly requiring support from the left or center-left to pass critical budget reforms. The ongoing turmoil underscores France's struggle to manage a debt exceeding 116% of GDP, well above European Commission limits, risking further economic deterioration if no decisive action is taken.