French PM’s minority government survives no-confidence vote but faces tough challenges ahead

French Prime Minister François Bayrou has successfully navigated the first major hurdle for his new minority government by surviving a no-confidence vote in the National Assembly.

The motion, initiated by the hard left, fell short of the required majority after the centre-left Socialist Party abstained, and the far-right National Rally (RN) opted not to support it, Caliber.Az reports via foreign media.

The motion garnered 131 votes in favour, significantly below the 288 needed for its adoption. National Assembly President Yaël Braun-Pivet announced: "The required majority has not been reached, the motion is not adopted."

Despite this victory, Bayrou's administration remains precarious, with challenges looming over the passage of the contentious 2025 budget. This budgetary struggle had previously resulted in the resignation of his predecessor, Michel Barnier.

Socialist Party leader Olivier Faure clarified his party's decision not to back the no-confidence vote, stating in the Assembly: "We will not censor you today." However, he cautioned that the government must provide concrete responses to Socialist demands.

Bayrou had sought to win over the Socialists by offering concessions, including a promise to revisit the controversial 2023 pension reform, a move deeply unpopular with the left. In a detailed letter, he outlined additional measures, such as reversing planned cuts to state medical reimbursements, boosting hospital funding, and abandoning proposals to cut 4,000 teaching positions.

Bayrou has also pledged to maintain certain commitments made by Barnier, including halting an electricity tax increase and raising pensions in line with inflation—a measure costing €3.6 billion. He further committed to advancing tax hikes worth €21 billion, targeting the wealthy and large corporations.

By Aghakazim Guliyev