France’s prime minister has failed in a last-minute bid to save his job, with the country’s National Assembly ousting him in a confidence vote.
Francois Bayrou – who entered office just nine months ago – is required to submit the resignation of his minority government after losing Monday afternoon’s vote by an overwhelming 364-194.
The outgoing prime minister is paying the price for what appeared to be a staggering political miscalculation, as he gambled that lawmakers would back his view that France should slash public spending to address its growing economic issues.
Analysis: Macron has few good options amid a worsening crisis
Earlier in the day, Mr Bayrou called for unity as he attempted to win support for his both his premiership and his ambitious plan to curb France’s public spending.
Arguing the country’s spiralling public deficits are threatening the future of the European Union’s second-largest economy, Mr Bayrou said state debts will weigh on future generations and leave France vulnerable to foreign creditors.
“Our country works, thinks it’s getting richer, but keeps getting poorer,” he said, pausing for sips of water when hecklers tried to drown him out.
Mr Bayrou had proposed to cut a huge €44bn (£38.1bn) in spending in 2026.
But his plan – which included the removal of two public holidays – was heavily criticised by his political rivals, who sensed a golden opportunity to bring him down.
Addressing the confidence vote, he said: “Our country has an urgent need for lucidity, it has the most urgent need for unity. But it is division that threatens to prevail, that threatens its image and reputation.”
Mathilde Panot of the hard-left France Unbowed, told Mr Bayrou in the debate before the vote: “Today is a day of relief for millions of French people, of relief over your departure.”
Marine Le Pen said: “This moment marks the end of the agony of a phantom government.”
What happens next?
France’s President Emmanuel Macron now faces finding another government chief – the country’s fourth in 12 months – after Mr Bayrou tenders his resignation on Tuesday.
Mr Macron is facing a narrowing set of options and financial markets are signalling worry at France’s political and financial crisis.
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Macron must now appoint a new PM. Pic: AP
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He could nominate a politician from his own centrist minority ruling group for the top job, or someone from the ranks of conservatives, but that would mean doubling down on a strategy that has failed to secure stability.
Mr Macron could also nominate someone on the left but no scenario is likely to hand the next government a majority.
The president has so far resisted calls from France’s far-right and far-left factions to call a snap election as he did in June last year – which was the root of the latest government collapse.
