French no-confidence vote: What's next if the government collapses?

"PM Bayrou is expected to lose, but a deadlock in parliament means France might struggle to find a replacement who can pass a budget aimed at cutting the deficit. The French government looks set to collapse in a vote of no confidence and tip the eurozone's second biggest economy into a political crisis. Prime Minister Francois Bayrou is expected to be ousted, casting doubt over President Emmanuel Macron's future. Monday's vote hinges on Bayrou's unpopular budget proposal for 2026, designed to slash France's fiscal deficit."

"The 74-year-old political veteran, who called the vote himself in a bid to pressure lawmakers to back his plans, has been in office for only nine months. France has had four prime ministers in less than two years, and a fifth probably won't be enough to break the country's political deadlock. The paralysis is reminiscent of the instability last observed in 1958 when the Fifth Republic was established."

"Ahead of the no-confidence vote, Bayrou spoke on Monday afternoon in the National Assembly, France's lower house of parliament, where he told lawmakers that the economy faced serious risks because of its deep indebtedness. He is expected to field questions from parliamentarians. The vote itself will take place in the evening with the result expected between 8pm and 9pm (18:00 and 19:00 GMT)."

Prime Minister Francois Bayrou is expected to lose a no-confidence vote that would topple the French government and create a political crisis in the eurozone's second-largest economy. The vote centers on an unpopular 2026 budget designed to slash France's fiscal deficit. Bayrou called the vote to pressure lawmakers but has been in office only nine months. Opposition parties from the far left to the far right control 330 of 577 seats and oppose the budget. If the government falls, Bayrou would remain as caretaker until President Emmanuel Macron chooses a successor. Macron lacks a consensus replacement and faces the choice of appointing another prime minister or calling new elections.

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