Overview

• François Bayrou appeared on four news channels and insisted the confidence test was about the country’s fate, saying he was not bidding farewell eight days before the vote.
• He maintained a target of bringing the deficit toward 3% of GDP by 2029 and said he could make a “gesture” on his proposal to scrap two public holidays, while holding to €44 billion in savings for 2026.
• The Socialist Party declared its refusal of confidence “irrevocable,” presented an alternative budget focused on taxing very large fortunes and big companies, and said it is ready to govern without using 49.3.
• The Rassemblement National and other left groups said they will vote no, with LFI and the Greens skipping Bayrou’s consultations this week as the PS, RN, LR, and government allies line up meetings at Matignon.
• Emmanuel Macron reiterated support for Bayrou and pressed for a budget on schedule, as France’s fiscal outlook and a tense social climate heighten the stakes of the Sept. 8 vote.