France Ousts Second Prime Minister in Past Year

France’s National Assembly ousted Prime Minister François Bayrou on Monday in a 364-194 no-confidence motion.

The Details: Bayrou called the vote of confidence on himself while trying to pass a controversial national budget that would include $44 billion (euros) in cuts. The vote was reportedly bipartisan, and 25 Members of Parliament (MPs) abstained. French President Emmanuel Macron is expected to accept Bayrou’s official resignation on Tuesday and appoint a new prime minister in the coming days. On Wednesday, anti-government protests are set to take place throughout France.

For Context: Former Prime Minister Michel Barnier was subject to a no-confidence motion in December, making Monday’s events the second ousting in ten months. Prior to that, the last no-confidence motion was in 1962.

How The Media Covered It: News outlets across the political spectrum were pessimistic towards the future of the French economy and political system. NBC (Lean Left bias) asserted, “Though Macron remains a big presence internationally — leading European efforts to support Ukraine and provide a counterweight to President Donald Trump — at home he is dogged by a divided electorate and long-term uncertainty.” A BBC (Center) editor stated, “[Bayrou’s] defeat was inevitable - but France's enormous pile of debt remains.” Breitbart (Right) said Macron “can either attempt to install another prime minister and continue the fight within the deeply divided National Assembly, or he can dissolve the parliament and call fresh legislative elections.”

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