Monday, 17 August 2026Europe · Analysis
Independent · Brussels & Berlin
Person
Former Prime Minister of France, Government of France
The National Assembly voted 364 to 194 to topple François Bayrou's government, leaving Emmanuel Macron to find a replacement who can survive a fractured parliament and a debt crisis that has pushed borrowing to 114 per cent of GDP.
Prime minister faces near-certain defeat on 8 September with only 210 government deputies against 353 opposition MPs, leaving France facing its third prime minister in under a year.
French prime minister calls September 8 vote on spending cuts as opposition parties from left and right unite against him, risking third government collapse in a year
One year after his gamble backfired, the French president again holds the constitutional power to dissolve parliament. Allies say he is tempted, despite public denials.
The newsletter
Delivered to your inbox on the days we publish. No daily digest, no push notifications, no advertising.