PARIS – French politics experienced another upheaval with the collapse of Prime Minister François Bayrou’s government following a decisive vote in the National Assembly. Bayrou, whose administration had taken office in December 2024, received 364 votes against him while only 194 supported him in the confidence motion held on September 8, 2025, compelling him to resign the next day.

Bayrou’s downfall stems from an ambitious budget proposal intended to reduce France’s ballooning deficit—at nearly double the European Union ceiling—through sweeping cuts totalling around 44 billion euros. The plan proved widely unpopular throughout parliament and across the political spectrum.

The fall of the Bayrou government marks yet another milestone in France’s ongoing political instability. It is the second administration to collapse under President Macron in less than a year, reflecting an enduring struggle to maintain stable governance amid sharp fiscal challenges.

The political and economic repercussions are mounting. France’s debt stands at roughly 114 percent of its gross domestic product, prompting investor unease and rising borrowing costs that now rival those of Greece and Italy. Experts warn this mounting fiscal strain could jeopardize long-term investments in innovation and education.

President Emmanuel Macron, confronted with the failure of another prime minister, is now tasked with appointing his fifth since taking office. Among the contenders is Defense Minister Sébastien Lecornu, a close ally who may be tapped to navigate a deeply divided National Assembly and deliver a budget that could stem worsening economic sentiment.

Meanwhile, discontent among the public is intensifying. A grassroots movement calling for national disruption under the “Block Everything” banner is organizing protests, strikes, and road blockades. Authorities are already deploying tens of thousands of security personnel in anticipation of unrest.

This latest episode raises deeper questions about the resilience of France’s Fifth Republic. With successive governments falling and no majority achieved by any coalition, observers caution that the nation may be teetering toward a systemic deadlock reminiscent of previous historical crises.