French lawmakers remove Prime Minister Bayrou in a historic vote of no confidence

In a significant political shift, President Emmanuel Macron has appointed Sébastien Lecornu as the new Prime Minister of France, following the resignation of François Bayrou after a vote of no confidence in the National Assembly. The appointment took place on September 9-10, 2025.

Bayrou's government was voted out with a margin of 364 to 194, marking a significant blow to Macron's centrist bloc. The vote was triggered by Bayrou's controversial austerity budget, which has been met with widespread opposition.

Lecornu's appointment comes at a critical time for Macron, who is constitutionally barred from seeking a third term in 2027. With approval ratings at historic lows, the President now faces the immediate challenge of forming a viable government.

The proposed budget calls for nearly 44 billion euros ($52 billion) in cost savings, a measure aimed at addressing France's financial challenges. However, there is no guarantee that new elections would improve Macron's parliamentary position.

Meanwhile, National Rally leader Marine Le Pen faces a potential appeal hearing for her EU parliament fake jobs scheme conviction, scheduled from January 13 to February 12, 2026. A successful appeal could resurrect Le Pen's political ambitions for the 2027 presidential election, potentially presenting a strong challenge to Macron's centrist bloc.

The political upheaval coincides with mounting social unrest in France. Trade unions have called for strikes on September 18, and a left-wing collective called "Block Everything" has organized protests for Wednesday.

Bayrou, in his resignation speech, described the country's financial situation as "life-threatening." His departure makes him the sixth prime minister to serve under President Emmanuel Macron since 2017 and the fifth since 2022.

As Macron navigates this challenging period, he must decide whether to appoint a new prime minister or call for snap elections. The National Rally may have its strongest opportunity yet to capture the 2027 presidential election, with 64% of French citizens calling for Macron's resignation and 77% disapproving of his performance, according to an Ifop poll.

This turbulent period in French politics promises to be a significant test for President Macron and the future of his administration.

French lawmakers remove Prime Minister Bayrou in a historic vote of no confidence