French Prime Minister François Bayrou has announced that he will seek a vote of confidence from parliament on September 8, accelerating political developments and putting the survival of his government at immediate risk. The initiative comes ahead of the debate on the highly controversial budget, with cuts of more than 40 billion euros, which is causing strong reactions from both the opposition and social actors.

When the house is burning, you can't stand idly by.

Bayrou will convene the deputies in an extraordinary session two weeks before the official opening of the National Assembly. As he stressed, the goal is to have a common acceptance that the country is in an economic impasse that requires immediate correction. When the house is burning, you cannot remain inactive, he said characteristically.

The Prime Minister recalled that the draft budget for 2026 foresees cuts of 43.8 billion euros with the aim of reducing the deficit to 4.6% of GDP. However, the left denounces social flattening, while the right speaks of dead-end austerity.

General strike

The debate on the vote of confidence, to be held on September 8, comes ahead of major demonstrations already planned for the 10th. Labor unions and left-wing parties are calling for a general strike, with many comparing the mood to the yellow vest riots of 2018.

Bayrou admitted that this is a calculated risk, but one that he considers necessary to prevent, as he said, a more serious danger: the collapse of the country. If we have a majority, we continue. If not, the government falls, he stressed.

The crucial votes of the Socialists

All eyes are on Socialist MPs, as their stance could determine the fate of the minority government. MP Arthur Delaporte said he did not consider it likely that his party would support the prime minister. If the Socialists, France Insubordinate, Communists and the National Rally coordinate their votes, the Bayrou government risks being overthrown.

Jordan Bardella's National Rally announced that it would vote against the government, with him stating that Bayrou had just signed the end of his government. Marine Le Pen, who called for the dissolution of the National Assembly and new elections, also followed suit.

On the other hand, Insubordinate France and the Communist Party have also pledged to overthrow the government. On September 8, we must say a clear “no” to this policy, said Communist spokesman Léon Desfontaine.

The measures that cause reactions

The prime minister's plan includes measures such as abolishing two public holidays, freezing social spending and not adjusting tax brackets to inflation. Although Bairu argues that all the measures are debatable, his critics speak of an unprecedented blow to the welfare state.

A high-intensity political autumn

With the country threatened by a wave of protests, the opposition rallying, and a confidence vote approaching, France is entering an autumn of political uncertainty. François Bayrou has chosen to play all his cards on September 8; the outcome of the vote will determine whether his government survives or collapses under the weight of austerity and social anger.