In an unexpected move, the Socialist Party announced it would not support a no-confidence motion against French Prime Minister François Bayrou. The motion, filed by the left-wing France Unbowed (LFI) party, aimed to challenge Bayrou’s leadership following his recent policy speech.
On Thursday, Bayrou narrowly survived the vote in the National Assembly, thanks to abstentions from both Socialist and far-right MPs. The no-confidence motion was triggered after Bayrou outlined his government’s roadmap, which included controversial reforms and proposals to address France’s growing deficit.
Bayrou’s Policy Proposals and Concessions to the Socialists
In his address on Tuesday, Prime Minister Bayrou presented key policy measures, including plans to renegotiate President Emmanuel Macron’s controversial pension reform. He also proposed budget cuts aimed at curbing France’s rising deficit. To gain the Socialist Party’s backing, Bayrou promised not to cut 4,000 jobs in the public education sector, a crucial issue for the left-wing party.
Despite this concession, the Socialists warned that they might oppose Bayrou’s government unless additional measures were put forward. In an attempt to address these concerns, Bayrou promised further negotiations with the Socialists. However, the decision to abstain from the no-confidence vote has caused significant internal tensions within the left-wing coalition.
Division Among Left-Wing Coalition Partners
The Socialist Party’s move to abstain from the vote angered members of the New Popular Front (NFP), the coalition that includes various left-wing parties. Jean-Luc Mélenchon, leader of the France Unbowed party, voiced his frustration on social media, accusing the Socialists of “fracturing the NFP” by backing away from the no-confidence motion.
While the far-right National Rally party also criticized Bayrou’s proposed reforms, MP Jean-Philippe Tanguy stated that the party would evaluate the government’s actions rather than making a definitive judgment based on the speech alone.
Bayrou’s survival in the no-confidence vote is a relief for his administration, but it only marks the beginning of a challenging period ahead. The Prime Minister now faces the daunting task of finalizing a budget for 2025, a process that could reignite political tensions.
Challenges Ahead: Budget Negotiations and Political Instability
Bayrou’s predecessor, Michel Barnier, was ousted in December after his budget proposal sparked a no-confidence motion from both the NFP and the far-right. Although Bayrou managed to avoid a similar fate, the lack of a finalized budget for the upcoming year means that political uncertainty is far from over.
The Socialist Party’s decision to abstain from the vote has exposed deep divisions within the left-wing coalition, making future negotiations even more complicated. Bayrou’s ability to navigate these challenges and stabilize his government will be crucial in the coming weeks.
The budget negotiations will be critical in determining whether Bayrou can maintain his leadership and secure the support of both the left-wing parties and the far-right, all while attempting to address France’s financial issues.
What’s Next for Bayrou’s Government?
As Prime Minister Bayrou’s government faces mounting pressure, political analysts are closely watching how these tensions will unfold. Without a clear budget plan and with growing divisions within the left-wing coalition, the future remains uncertain.
Whether Bayrou can deliver on his promises and steer his administration through these turbulent times remains to be seen. For now, his narrow victory in the no-confidence vote buys him some time, but the road ahead looks increasingly rocky.
For more updates on this developing story, visit EuroNews24.