French PM Bayrou Plans Confidence Vote Amid €43.8 Billion Budget Clash

French Prime Minister François Bayrou has announced his intention to seek a confidence vote in parliament on September 8 to secure backing for his government's unpopular budget proposal, which includes aggressive spending cuts exceeding 40 billion euros. The budget aims to reduce France's deficit to 4.6% of GDP and also proposes cutting two public holidays, measures that have sparked widespread opposition from both left and right political parties. This move is intended to compel political parties to address the budget proposals in parliament rather than through planned street protests. President Emmanuel Macron has agreed to reconvene parliament early to facilitate the debate and confidence vote. Bayrou has framed the vote as necessary to clarify political positions and stabilize the government's fiscal strategy amid anticipated political turbulence. However, the confidence vote also risks increasing political instability and heightening tensions among France's political factions.