Emmanuel Macron President of France [Courtesy]

By Kimberly Kalusi with agencies

France was thrown into fresh political turmoil on Monday after lawmakers in the National Assembly voted against Prime Minister François Bayrou’s government, forcing his exit after just nine months in office.

Bayrou had taken the unusual step of calling a confidence vote on his own leadership in a bid to push through a controversial austerity budget. The plan, which aimed to save nearly €44 billion (about KSh 6.9 trillion) to curb France’s mounting debt, sparked resistance across the political spectrum.

When the vote was called, 364 deputies rejected the government, while only 194 expressed confidence. In line with the French constitution, Bayrou is now required to tender his resignation and that of his government to President Emmanuel Macron on Tuesday morning.

A Historic Ouster

Bayrou’s downfall is unprecedented in modern French history. He is the first prime minister to be removed through a failed confidence vote—a striking contrast to the more common no-confidence motions brought by the opposition.

Addressing parliament before the ballot, Bayrou defended his decision:“The greatest danger was not to take the risk. The danger was to do nothing, to allow the debt to drown the country.”

He insisted that the reforms his government proposed were painful but necessary to prevent what he called a “life-threatening” financial crisis.

Macron’s Growing Challenge

The loss deepens the headaches for President Macron, who has already cycled through six prime ministers since taking office in 2017, five of them since 2022 alone. He must now decide whether to appoint yet another premier or dissolve parliament and gamble on snap elections.

Analysts say neither option offers a clear path forward. Macron’s centrist bloc lacks a solid majority, and fresh elections could easily return an equally divided parliament. Meanwhile, the opposition Socialist Party has signaled interest in forming a government, but questions remain about whether such an alliance could last in a fractured legislature.

Wider Implications

The ousting comes at a delicate moment for France internationally. Macron has positioned himself as a leading European voice in supporting Ukraine against Russia’s invasion. Now, his credibility at home is under strain, with critics arguing that political instability could weaken France’s ability to lead abroad.

Bayrou’s departure underscores the volatile state of French politics: an unpopular president, an embattled parliament, and growing public unease over rising living costs and strict budget cuts.

As one lawmaker put it after the dramatic vote: “France is entering uncharted territory.”