French Prime Minister François Bayrou will meet the heads of political parties and parliamentary groups before a 8 September confidence vote that could bring down his government. Speaking in a televised interview on Wednesday, Bayrou that everyone must first agree on “the importance of the effort” to cut France’s debt.
Starting on Monday, Bayrou will begin talks with party leaders. In an interview with TF1, he stressed that “the prerequisite is that we agree on the importance of the effort” to reduce the debt – the question that lawmakers will be asked to decide in the confidence vote.
He warned it would be impossible to move forward with any budget discussions “if there is not a basic agreement on the importance of this choice”.
In mid-July Bayrou presented a draft budget for 2026 aimed at saving nearly €44 billion through spending cuts and a freeze on social benefits. The plan has been strongly criticised by opposition parties, with the left demanding higher taxes on the wealthy instead.
“I am ready to discuss all issues… measure by measure,” Bayrou said on Wednesday, “except for one, which is the effort we must make to ensure that France can choose the path out of excessive debt.”
Asked why he had not met political groups before announcing the confidence vote, he replied “because they were on holiday”, adding that he had “in one way or another” been in contact with them directly or through intermediaries.
Bayrou has the backing of President Emmanuel Macron, who gave his “full support” to the initiative during Wednesday’s weekly ministerial council, government spokesperson Sophie Primas said.
The prime minister added that he “did not believe” dissolving the National Assembly and calling snap elections – something Macron could do if Bayrou loses the vote – “would allow us to have stability”.
(with AFP)
