France Plunged Into a Political Crisis Following Prime Minister’s Ouster 

French Defense Minister Sébastien Lecornu was appointed as the new prime minister of France late Tuesday, the fifth premier in less than two years, the same day his predecessor, François Bayrou, resigned after losing Monday’s confidence vote in parliament amid ongoing political gridlock, the Financial Times reported, 

Bayrou’s nine-month term ended after an alliance of left-wing lawmakers and Marine Le Pen’s far-right National Rally voted him out, 364 to 194. 

The former prime minister’s term was marked with growing unpopularity over a budget plan that demanded more than $46 billion in savings, including welfare freezes, civil-service cuts, and the scrapping of two public holidays. 

Bayrou warned that France’s debt – now 114 percent of the gross domestic product – risked “domination by creditors.”  

However, the proposal proved unpopular among many voters, and his ouster was quickly celebrated in towns and cities across France on Monday night, with about 11,000 people joining “Bye Bye Bayrou” rallies outside town halls. Bayrou formally submitted his resignation the next day.  

His replacement, Lecornu, a centrist who had originated in former President Nicolas Sarkozy’s right-wing party, according to the Guardian, was picked from a potential slate that included Justice Minister Gérald Darmanin, Finance Minister Eric Lombard, and former Socialist premier Bernard Cazeneuve.  

Observers noted the risks that centrists may only survive for a few months, while Socialist party picks could push wealth taxes that Macron’s pro-business camp has long resisted, the Associated Press wrote. 

Regardless, analysts said the new leader will struggle because of a deeply fractured parliament: Since Macron’s snap election in 2024, parliament has been split into three blocs – left, far-right, and centrists – with no single party holding a majority.  

Unlike Germany or Italy, France has little tradition of coalition governments and the compromise politics that allow them to govern, political analysts added. 

Meanwhile, public anger is mounting.  

France is bracing for protests on Wednesday under the banner of “Block Everything,” with roadblocks and fuel depot closures expected. The government has mobilized 80,000 police officers. 

Observers warned that the protests are no longer about a single budget cycle but about austerity, inequality, and what many see as a cycle of collapsing governments. 

Meanwhile, Macron’s approval ratings have dipped to 15 percent, and the president is facing calls by Le Pen for early elections. 

Opinion polls suggest that the National Rally could cement its hold on parliament, even though Le Pen has been barred from office after an embezzlement conviction she is appealing. 

Macron has dismissed calls for new polls.