Overview

• Emmanuel Macron said he will serve through 2027 and urged parties to “assume their responsibilities,” speaking publicly alongside Germany’s chancellor.
• Prime Minister François Bayrou has set a 8 September confidence vote tied to about €44 billion in spending cuts that face opposition from the left and the far right.
• If the government loses the vote, Macron would have to either appoint a new prime minister or dissolve the National Assembly for legislative elections under the constitution.
• Unions are organizing a month of protests, including a nationwide blockade planned for 10 September, with hospitals and taxi drivers striking from 5 September and air traffic controllers and pharmacies set to act on 18 September.
• The protest strategy is split, with CGT and Solidaires backing blockades as CFDT and CFE‑CGC opt for separate rallies, while LFI calls for a general strike and a 23 September removal motion and RN urges a return to the polls.