Debt crisis surrounding François Bayrou's vote of confidence: chaos in opposition ranks

François Bayrou Delivers Final Warning on France's Economic Crisis

François Bayrou, the embattled former Prime Minister of France, delivered a passionate and poignant speech on September 8, 2023, in an attempt to keep his post at Matignon amidst growing economic troubles. The speech, which lasted over 40 minutes, sounded like a farewell as Bayrou faced increasing political pressure and financial market risks.

Bayrou's speech followed more than two hours of speeches by the different presidents of the groups. He criticized political forces that announce they will topple the government, yet are the most opposed to each other and designate themselves as enemies. He called on the opposition to take responsibility.

The economic experts discussing France's serious economic troubles due to financial burdens led by Bayrou include commentators and analysts cited in July and September 2025 reports. They noted Bayrou's warnings about France's massive debt, described as "five thousand euros additional debt per second," and his failed attempts to pass austerity budgets, leading to political instability with multiple government changes.

During his speech, Bayrou provided specific figures regarding France's increasing annual repayment obligations. He stated that by the end of the decade, the country's repayment obligations would reach 107 billion euros. In 2020, the repayment obligations were 30 billion euros, with this figure set to rise to 60 billion in 2024, 67 billion in 2026, 75 billion in 2027, 85 billion in 2028, and continuing to escalate.

Bayrou emphasized the risk posed by France's budgetary situation, referring to it as a "silent, underground, invisible hemorrhage." He warned about a "sacrificed generation" of young adults who are convinced they will never have a retirement due to the accumulated debt. The young generation, according to Bayrou, will bear the weight of thousands of billions of debt contracted by their elders over the next 20 to 30 years.

In addition to the economic woes, Bayrou listed various issues facing the country, including national education, demographic imbalance, aging of the French, concern about security, migrations, and climate destabilization. He claimed that all these issues are subject to the question of controlling spending.

According to Bayrou, political parties have a fundamental flaw that leads them to division. He believes there are only two paths left for French politics: one leading to perpetual division and the other leading to the unity of the country and the removal of the curse of division.

As Bayrou thanked his government members for their support during the nine months of his tenure, without a single crisis or tension, it remains to be seen whether his final appeal will be enough to keep him in power. François Bayrou's fall might lead to Macron addressing the French very soon, or not.