French Budget Talks Face Uncertainty as Immigration Comments Strain Alliances

Prime Minister François Bayrou's remarks about immigration have jeopardized Socialist support, raising doubts about the passage of the 2025 budget and his government’s survival.

• Prime Minister François Bayrou's controversial comments on immigration, describing it as a 'flooding' of France, have sparked backlash from the Socialist Party and other leftist groups.
• The Socialists suspended their participation in budget negotiations, demanding Bayrou retract his remarks, which they claim echo far-right rhetoric.
• The government is attempting to finalize a 2025 budget that includes €53 billion in tax hikes and spending cuts to address France's growing deficit and restore investor confidence.
• Without Socialist support, Bayrou's minority government faces the risk of a no-confidence vote, which could lead to its collapse if opposition parties unite.
• The Socialists remain divided over whether to back the budget, weighing potential concessions against the risk of fracturing their left-wing coalition.

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