The sixth vote of no confidence threatens the French Prime Minister

Francois Bayrou, the French prime minister, is facing his sixth vote of no confidence in recent months, initiated by the Socialist Party. This issue will be considered in the National Assembly on Wednesday. 

The reason for the discontent of the Socialists was the budget bill, approved late and without the participation of parliament, as well as Bayrou's statements about the «excessive presence of migrants» in the country. However, the prime minister's resignation is unlikely, as the right-wing National Unification party, led by Marine Le Pen, has already refused to support the initiative. A successful vote requires 289 votes out of 577.

The resignation of the government could worsen the political crisis, increasing the risk of parliament's dissolution and snap elections in 2025. The approved budget aims to keep the deficit at 5.4% in 2025 and includes a significant reduction in government spending, with the exception of the defense budget, which will increase by 3.3 billion euros.

In 2024, France replaced four prime ministers, which became a record. After the summer dissolution of parliament, President Macron could not appoint a new head of government for a long time. Bayrou, who took office in December, has already survived five unsuccessful votes, caused, among other things, by his manipulations with the adoption of the budget without a parliamentary vote.