French Prime Minister Francois Bayrou narrowly escaped a no-confidence vote on Tuesday, keeping his job for now but facing mounting political trouble just six months after taking office.
The motion, pushed by the Socialist Party after failed pension reform talks, gained 189 votes—far short of the 289 needed to topple the government. Although it drew backing from most left-wing lawmakers, the far-right National Rally led by Marine Le Pen withheld its support.
Bayrou, 74, does not command a majority in the National Assembly, and the outcome highlights his increasingly shaky hold on power. The Socialists, once key to his fragile coalition, have now turned their backs.
“He’s furious,” a government minister said privately, adding that Bayrou publicly mocked the motion as a “joke” but was seething behind closed doors.
Socialist leader Olivier Faure declared the alliance broken, accusing Bayrou of betrayal. Le Pen, meanwhile, said removing the government now would not benefit the French public, but hinted that her party could move against Bayrou later, especially during the budget debate in the autumn.
Crafting the 2026 budget is expected to be a significant challenge due to France’s economic constraints. Earlier this year, government spokesperson Sophie Primas warned it would be “a nightmare.”
President Emmanuel Macron appointed Bayrou in December to bring calm after a turbulent post-election period. If parliament forces him out, Macron would need to appoint a seventh prime minister, raising serious questions about the stability of his presidency with two years remaining.
