French PM Resigns After Parliament Ousts Government in Confidence Vote

French Prime Minister François Bayrou resigned after losing a confidence vote in the National Assembly, marking the first time in modern French history a prime minister has been ousted this way. Bayrou had called the vote himself, hoping to secure support for austerity measures aimed at reducing France's budget deficit, but instead faced unified opposition from both left and right-wing parties. The vote, with 364 deputies against and 194 in favor, triggered a political crisis and calls from the far-left and far-right for President Emmanuel Macron's resignation or dissolution of the National Assembly. Macron, whose approval ratings have hit historic lows amid a growing budget deficit and widespread protests, must now appoint Bayrou’s successor. The crisis follows a period of parliamentary fragmentation and Macron’s struggle to maintain a minority government. Protests in Paris have demanded Macron's resignation and a possible exit from the EU, while various political factions blame both Macron and Bayrou for the country's instability.