French Government Crisis Deepens as Parliament Ousts Third Prime Minister in One Year

Latest Government Collapse Signals Deepening Political Crisis

France’s government has fallen after legislators toppled it in a confidence vote on Monday, creating a new crisis for Europe’s second-largest economy and forcing President Emmanuel Macron to search for a fourth prime minister in 12 months.

Prime Minister François Bayrou suffered a decisive defeat, losing the confidence vote by a margin of 364-194. The 74-year-old centrist’s downfall came after what appears to be a significant political miscalculation – he had gambled that lawmakers would support his position on the necessity of reducing public spending to address France’s debt issues.

The Economic Context

France faces significant economic challenges, with public debt reaching 3.346 trillion euros (approximately $5.4 trillion Canadian) by the end of the first quarter of 2025, representing 114% of gross domestic product. Debt servicing has become a major burden, consuming about seven percent of state spending.

Political Instability and Its Implications

The collapse of Bayrou’s short-lived minority government has created renewed uncertainty and risks prolonged legislative deadlock as France grapples with pressing challenges, including budget difficulties and international crises. The next prime minister will face the same precarious political environment and urgent budget issues. Under the French system, while the prime minister is appointed by the president and manages domestic policy, they must maintain parliament’s confidence. Macron has pledged to remain in office until his term ends in 2027, but risks becoming politically ineffective if the paralysis continues.

The Path Forward

Macron’s office has announced that he will accept Bayrou’s resignation on Tuesday and name a new prime minister ‘in the coming days.’ However, the task ahead is challenging, as Macron’s minority governments have struggled from crisis to crisis, surviving at the mercy of opposing political blocs that, while lacking the seats to govern themselves, can unite to topple Macron’s choices.

While Macron retains substantial powers over foreign policy and European affairs and remains commander in chief of the nuclear-armed military, his domestic agenda faces increasing challenges.