French president faces political crisis as prime minister risks ouster in confidence vote

French President Emmanuel Macron is navigating a deepening political and fiscal crisis as Prime Minister François Bayrou’s position hangs in the balance ahead of a crucial confidence vote on September 8.

Bayrou stunned politicians and financial markets this week by calling for the vote, seeking to shore up parliamentary support for his plan to tackle France’s mounting deficit. However, Macron is already preparing for Bayrou’s possible ouster, with aides confirming that he is consulting allies on potential replacements, Financial Times reports.

Although Macron continues to urge lawmakers to back Bayrou, he faces limited and politically risky options. He could appoint a new prime minister from his centrist camp or from the right, maintaining his current strategy. Alternatively, he may pivot to a moderate left-wing figure, risking the unraveling of some of his key reforms. In any scenario, a governing majority in the National Assembly remains out of reach.

Opposition parties—holding a combined 330 out of 577 seats—have signaled they will not support Bayrou. Without an unlikely reversal, his tenure is likely to end. “If the government falls on September 8, we’ll find ourselves exactly in the same situation as we were in last July,” warned Erwan Balanant, an MP from Bayrou’s Modem party. “The question now is: who is ready to take responsibility today to find solutions?”

In an interview with Journal du Dimanche, Macron emphasized: “It is up to the political parties to rise to the occasion by finding ways of compromise and stability, as is the practice throughout Europe. If they were to choose disorder, they would bear a heavy responsibility in the current delicate geopolitical moment.”

Macron has ruled out resignation despite growing pressure from both Marine Le Pen and Jean-Luc Mélenchon. An Elabe poll found 67% of the public wants Macron to step down, and 72% oppose Bayrou staying on.

The crisis jeopardizes the adoption of the 2026 budget, with €44 billion in proposed spending cuts and tax hikes. If deadlock persists, Macron may be forced to dissolve parliament and call early legislative elections — a high-stakes move he has not ruled out.

By Vafa Guliyeva