Macron says he supports Bayrou’s confidence motion

Macron says he supports Bayrou’s confidence motion

President Emmanuel Macron has given his full support to Prime Minister François Bayrou ahead of a confidence vote that could see his government collapse next month. The confidence vote, scheduled for September 8, aims to secure enough support for Bayrou's plan to slash spending. However, the main opposition parties have indicated that they will not back the prime minister's plan, with the far right urging Macron to call new parliamentary elections and the left-wing France Unbowed calling for the president's resignation.

Bayrou's decision comes amid growing momentum for a broad anti-austerity campaign dubbed "Bloquons tout" ("Let's block everything"), which has acted as a lightning rod for other criticisms of the government. The movement has urged a nationwide shutdown on September 10, adding to the political pressure on Bayrou.

Macron, who has had six prime ministers since taking office in 2017, chaired a meeting of his cabinet on Wednesday. His spokeswoman, Sophie Primas, stated that he has given his "full support" to Bayrou's initiative and called on France's political parties "to act responsibly." Macron is weighing his options to contain the looming political crisis, with the potential outcomes including appointing a new prime minister, dissolving parliament again, or resigning himself.

The French president has expressed a desire to avoid dissolving parliament again but has not ruled out the option. A senior member of the presidential team told AFP that new elections might be the only solution, with 63 percent of French people surveyed by an Ifop poll for LCI TV supporting the idea of dissolving parliament and holding new elections.

Political jockeying is heating up ahead of the presidential election in 2027, when Macron's second term is set to end. The far right senses an opportunity to come to power, with the National Rally party's head, Jordan Bardella, suggesting that the current political impasse can only be resolved through new elections.

Bayrou's government and economic analysts have warned that France's debt is unsustainable, particularly as interest rate rises push up the cost of borrowing. Bayrou has proposed measures to save about €44 billion ($51 billion) by reducing the number of public holidays and placing a freeze on spending increases, but these measures have proved deeply unpopular.

In conclusion, Macron's support for Bayrou's confidence motion reflects a strategic move to navigate the political turmoil in France. The upcoming confidence vote and potential outcomes will significantly impact the country's political landscape and economic stability.

References:
[1] https://www.france24.com/en/france/20250827-macron-gives-full-support-to-embattled-pm-bayrou-as-confidence-vote-looms
[2] https://www.wionews.com/world/macron-gives-full-support-to-embattled-french-pm-bayrou-ahead-of-confidence-vote-1756317464937/amp