French President Emmanuel Macron is scrambling to appoint a new prime minister following the collapse of his government, marking the fifth leadership change in under two years. Center-right Prime Minister Francois Bayrou was ousted Monday after a decisive 364-194 parliamentary vote rejecting his austerity-focused budget plans.
Political Turmoil Deepens
The incoming prime minister faces immediate challenges: uniting a fractured parliament and passing a 2025 budget amid growing public discontent. Potential candidates include Defense Minister Sebastien Lecornu, centrist figures, or technocrats, though Macron's office has not confirmed timelines for the appointment.
Protest Wave Builds
Anti-government sentiment is crystallizing into action, with nationwide "Let's Block Everything" demonstrations planned for Wednesday. Labor unions have separately announced strikes and protests for September 18, while far-right National Rally leaders push for snap elections Macron continues to resist.
Economic Implications
Financial markets showed limited reaction Tuesday, having anticipated Bayrou's removal. All eyes now turn to Friday's Fitch rating decision on France's sovereign debt, which could influence investor confidence in Europe's third-largest economy.
As farewell gatherings for Bayrou spread across French cities Monday night, protester Alain Petit captured the mood: "Changing the prime minister isn't enough – Macron needs to listen to the streets."
