FX.co ★ Bayrou to Resign After Confidence Vote Defeat, Macron Under Pressure

French Prime Minister François Bayrou is anticipated to resign today, with the Elysée Palace stating that President Macron "acknowledges" the situation and will appoint a successor in the coming days. Bayrou's government, lasting only nine months, ended after he lost a confidence vote on Monday, further complicating Macron's political challenges. As a centrist ally, Bayrou had endeavored to secure support for a €44 billion proposal of tax increases and spending reductions. However, the motion was defeated by a 364-194 vote as opposition parties rallied against his minority government. In a resolute address preceding the vote, Bayrou cautioned, "You have the power to topple the government, but you don't have the power to erase reality," emphasizing that France's debt issue remains unsolved. This event marks only the third instance since 1958 that a French prime minister has been ousted by parliament, highlighting the repercussions of Macron's unsuccessful snap election last year, which resulted in a hung assembly with strengthened far-right and left factions.