Overview

• Bayrou lost the National Assembly confidence vote 364–194 after tying his government’s fate to an austerity drive.
• He will submit his government’s resignation and continue in a caretaker role as the Élysée signals a replacement could be named within days.
• Left and green parties aligned with the far-right Rassemblement National to topple the minority government in a fragmented parliament.
• Bayrou’s plan targeted roughly €44 billion in savings, including scrapping two public holidays and freezing parts of social spending, prompting a Sept. 10 blockade call and union-led strikes on Sept. 18.
• France’s heavy debt burden (about €3.3 trillion, deficit near 5.8% of GDP) now faces fresh scrutiny, with a Fitch rating review due Friday.