President Emmanuel Macron will accept Prime Minister François Bayrou’s resignation on Tuesday after the government fell in a confidence vote, forcing the French leader to search swiftly for a successor and contain a fresh political crisis.
Bayrou suffered a heavy defeat on Monday in a confidence vote he had himself called, throwing France into uncertainty and leaving Macron to appoint the seventh prime minister of his presidency.
The Élysée Palace confirmed in a statement that Macron had “taken note” of the outcome and would appoint a new premier “in the coming days”, ending speculation that he might dissolve parliament and call snap elections. Macron will meet Bayrou on Tuesday to formally accept the government’s resignation.
The timing of the appointment remains unclear, though sources close to the president suggested it could happen as early as Tuesday, with a possible presidential address.
Bayrou stunned even allies by calling the confidence vote in an attempt to break a deadlock over his austerity budget, which aimed to cut almost €44 billion (£37 billion) from spending to reduce France’s debt.
In the National Assembly, 364 deputies voted no confidence in Bayrou’s government, while only 194 supported it. Assembly speaker Yaël Braun-Pivet declared that, under article 50 of the constitution, the prime minister must submit his resignation.
Bayrou, Macron’s sixth prime minister since 2017 and fifth since 2022, now exits after one of the shortest and most turbulent stints in the role.
Macron, already deeply unpopular at home despite leading Europe’s diplomatic efforts on Ukraine, now faces one of his most delicate domestic choices: selecting a premier who can hold together a fragile parliament.
The Socialist Party has offered to lead a new government, with party leader Olivier Faure urging a return to left-wing rule. However, analysts question whether such an administration could command sufficient support.
Macron’s trusted right-wing ministers, such as Justice Minister Gérald Darmanin, risk rejection by the left, while more centrist names like Health Minister Catherine Vautrin or Finance Minister Eric Lombard may offer compromise.
A poll published by Le Figaro showed 64 per cent of French citizens want Macron to resign rather than appoint a new premier, a step he has firmly ruled out. Under the constitution, he cannot seek a third term in 2027.
Meanwhile, France braces for fresh unrest. Left-wing groups have called for mass protests on Wednesday, and trade unions have announced a strike for 18 September.
The 2027 presidential race remains wide open, with Marine Le Pen’s far-right National Rally expected to mount its strongest challenge yet. Le Pen, recently convicted in an EU fake jobs scandal and barred from office for five years, has appealed and will know her fate before the next election. She urged Macron to call snap legislative elections, declaring that doing so is “not an option but an obligation”.