France is facing another political crisis, with Prime Minister François Bayrou’s government at risk after submitting to a vote of confidence in parliament. The National Assembly will hold the special session on September 8, and Bayrou’s chances of winning are extremely slim.
The decision comes amid immense economic, social, and geopolitical uncertainty, echoing the disastrous effects of President Emmanuel Macron’s parliamentary dissolution last July. This move has created institutional chaos and raised concerns about civil unrest.
Bayrou is staking his house on an initial vote of confidence, despite having little to no chance of winning. The opposition groups hold a significant majority in parliament, with 353 deputies against Bayrou’s four pro-government groups, which have 210 seats between them.
The only way for Bayrou to win would be for the Socialist bloc or Marine Le Pen’s National Rally to make a move, but even then, it’s uncertain. The opposition has made it clear that they will not rescue Bayrou, and many expect him to resign if the vote is lost.
This situation may have consequences beyond France’s borders, as Europe and the West face pressing questions over security, immigration, debt, and welfare states. President Macron’s final 18 months in office are likely to be marked by a sad parody of his initially hopeful era.
The growing unrest has already manifested itself in a grassroots protest movement called Bloquons Tout, which is gaining momentum. Unions have announced separate actions against government “austerity,” and even far-left leader Jean-Luc Melenchon has joined forces with the movement.
With more calls expected for Macron to resign, it remains uncertain who will take the plunge as his next prime minister. Marine Le Pen is leading calls for a new dissolution of the National Assembly, but this option is unlikely to improve the centrist bloc’s position or address the underlying issues.
Source: https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c87ene7r5d1o