Overview

• Parties from the far right to the hard left say they will vote down Prime Minister François Bayrou, making his minority government unlikely to survive the confidence vote.
• Bayrou’s plan targets roughly €43.8–€44 billion in savings, including scrapping two public holidays and freezing most welfare outlays, and he says he will adjust measures without reducing the overall effort.
• Emmanuel Macron has given Bayrou his full support, while the prime minister argues snap elections would not bring stability and plans talks with party leaders from Sept. 1.
• A broad ‘Bloquons tout’ campaign and unions, including the CGT, are urging a nationwide shutdown on Sept. 10, with polling showing strong public backing for the action.
• Financial pressures remain a concern as officials defend France’s resilience; Bayrou faced backlash for saying he did not negotiate in August because opponents were on holiday.