French PM Bayrou Faces Expected Defeat in Confidence Vote Over Budget Standoff

French Prime Minister Francois Bayrou has declared that the upcoming confidence vote on September 8 is not just about his government's survival but the fate of France itself, as his minority administration seeks approval for a contentious budget plan aimed at reducing national debt. Despite his efforts to negotiate with opposition parties, key groups including the Socialists have firmly decided to vote against him, with Socialist leader Olivier Faure calling for Bayrou's resignation. Bayrou's austerity measures, which include reducing holidays and freezing spending increases to save approximately €44 billion, have proven deeply unpopular among the French public. The prime minister warned that abandoning these fiscal battles would risk chaos and political instability, invoking the legacy of Charles de Gaulle. The vote is widely expected to result in Bayrou's defeat, raising concerns about a potential period of uncertainty and upheaval for France. Bayrou remains defiant, emphasizing his long-term commitment to these reforms and the country's future.