In a surprising political twist, the Socialist Party announced they would not back a no-confidence motion filed by their left-wing coalition partners.
French Prime Minister François Bayrou survived Thursday’s vote in the National Assembly after the Socialists and far-right MPs chose not to support the motion introduced by the hard-left France Unbowed (LFI) party.
The no-confidence motion followed Bayrou’s general policy address on Tuesday, where he presented his government’s roadmap. Among his proposals were plans to renegotiate President Emmanuel Macron’s widely unpopular 2023 pension reform and implement significant budget cuts to tackle France’s ballooning deficit.
Bayrou also assured the public education sector that 4,000 jobs would not be cut, in a final effort to gain Socialist support. After his speech, the Socialist Party had warned they might oppose the government if their demands were not met.
Divisions Deepen Within Left-Wing Coalition
The Socialist Party’s decision angered the rest of the left-wing coalition, the New Popular Front (NFP).
Jean-Luc Mélenchon, leader of France Unbowed, expressed his frustration on social media, accusing the Socialists of “tearing apart the NFP.”
While some members of the far-right National Rally party criticized Bayrou’s speech, MP Jean-Philippe Tanguy indicated their stance would depend on the government’s concrete actions.
Although Bayrou avoided immediate removal, his administration faces significant challenges in the coming weeks, with no finalized budget plan for 2025.
A Precarious Political Future
Bayrou’s predecessor, Michel Barnier, was ousted in December after his budget plan was rejected by an alliance of far-right MPs and the NFP.
While Bayrou’s survival offers temporary relief, it underscores the fragmented political landscape and the challenges his government will face in navigating France’s pressing financial and social issues.