This ends Bayrou’s short tenure as prime minister, and President Macron faces the task of finding a new head of government. The rejection of the prime minister is also seen as a rejection of the president.
A total of 364 parliament members voted against the motion of confidence, while 194 voted in favor. Since Bayrou led a minority government, he needed support from part of the opposition to save his position. However, that support was entirely absent.
The stakes of the vote were the budget plans with which Bayrou aimed to reduce the deficit from 5.4 percent to 4.6 percent. He proposed cuts amounting to 44 billion euros. The focus was on significant reductions in government spending, especially in social security and subsidies for renewable energy.
Besides these measures, the plan included notable symbolic steps. Bayrou sought to sacrifice two official holidays: Easter Monday and May 8, the day France commemorates the victory in World War II. These proposals met widespread opposition both in parliament and society.
Large protests are expected Wednesday across France against the announced reforms. Under the banner “Bloquons tout” (“Let’s Block Everything”), activists are calling via social media for a massive shutdown of the country. Hundreds of actions are planned, spread over cities and rural areas. This recalls the “yellow vest” protests when widespread dissatisfaction was expressed about the functioning of the state and government.
Bayrou’s resignation fits into a broader political malaise that has gripped France for more than a year. The trigger was President Macron’s unexpected dissolution of parliament in summer 2024, following a strong electoral win by the Rassemblement National in the European elections. Macron hoped to strengthen his position through early elections, but this gamble completely failed.
In last year’s new parliamentary elections, both Marine Le Pen’s far-right Rassemblement National and the left-wing bloc emerged as winners at the polls. Macron’s party finished only third, forcing him to govern with a minority government and a prime minister from another party. This is known in France as 'cohabitation,' a setup that typically proves unstable and has led to several government crises.
Moreover, Macron’s term ends in 2027. A French court just last week decided that the appeal against the conviction of RN leader Marine Le Pen will be heard early next year. Due to a prior conviction, she is currently barred from running in political elections. But if she is acquitted or her sentence altered, she could run to succeed Macron.
With Bayrou’s departure, Macron faces appointing his seventh prime minister since taking office at the Élysée. The presidency is again marked by political instability. According to the Élysée, a successor will be announced later this week. French media speculate that Defense Minister Sébastien Lecornu is the main candidate to replace Bayrou.