Media: French PM François Bayrou arrives at Élysée to submit resignation

French Prime Minister François Bayrou has arrived at the Élysée Palace, where he intends to submit his resignation to President Emmanuel Macron, according to the news channel LCI.

The head of state is expected to accept the resignation and decide on a new prime minister in the coming days.

According to BFMTV, the president has nearly finalised his choice and may even announce it to the outgoing prime minister. Likely candidates include Yaël Braun-Pivet, Speaker of the National Assembly, and Sébastien Lecornu, Minister of Armed Forces.

Media reports indicate that Lecornu is already in discussions with political circles about forming a new cabinet. However, even after the government’s resignation, current ministers will continue to carry out their duties until the president appoints a new prime minister and the incoming cabinet is formed.

French Prime Minister François Bayrou was ousted after losing a no-confidence vote in the National Assembly on September 8, 2025, with 364 votes against and 194 in favor. Appointed by President Emmanuel Macron in December 2024, Bayrou had introduced a €44 billion austerity plan to reduce France’s national debt, including tax hikes and the elimination of two national holidays. These measures faced widespread opposition across the political spectrum.

Bayrou’s refusal to compromise with other parties led to the confidence vote, marking the first time in the Fifth Republic that a government fell under a self-imposed confidence motion (Article 49.1 of the Constitution). This crisis represents the third government collapse in just 14 months, underscoring Macron’s ongoing challenges in managing a divided parliament and public dissatisfaction.

By Vugar Khalilov