French Prime Minister François Bayrou will resign on Tuesday after losing a confidence vote, deepening France’s political crisis and leaving President Emmanuel Macron to appoint the country’s third prime minister in a year.
Bayrou, 74, lasted nine months in office before being ousted over his unpopular debt-reduction budget. His departure follows that of Michel Barnier, who served only three months before facing a similar fate. Macron must now appoint a new leader capable of navigating a divided parliament and securing agreement on a budget.
The resignation sparked celebrations among protesters, with around 11,000 people gathering outside town halls across France. Demonstrators held “Bye bye Bayrou” farewell events and began organizing a nationwide “Block Everything” protest set for Wednesday, with 80,000 police expected to be deployed.
Political divisions remain sharp, with parliament split between the left, centre, and far right. Macron is weighing possible successors, including trusted cabinet ministers Gérald Darmanin and Sébastien Lecornu, though both may face opposition. Other potential candidates include Bernard Cazeneuve, a former prime minister, and Finance Minister Eric Lombard, who could offer a compromise solution.