In a surprising development, the Socialist Party announced they will not back the no-confidence motion presented by their left-wing coalition partners.
French Prime Minister François Bayrou survived the no-confidence vote in the National Assembly, with Socialist and far-right MPs refusing to support the motion filed by the hard-left France Unbowed (LFI) party on Thursday.
The motion followed Bayrou’s general policy speech on Tuesday, where he outlined his government’s new roadmap. His proposals included renegotiating French President Emmanuel Macron’s unpopular 2023 pension reform and implementing budget cuts to address the country’s rising deficit.
Bayrou also vowed to preserve 4,000 public education jobs in an effort to dissuade the Socialist Party from voting for the motion. Earlier, the centre-left party had warned it might vote against the government if its concerns were not addressed.
Tensions Within the Left-Wing Coalition
The Socialists’ decision sparked anger among their partners in the New Popular Front (NFP) coalition.
Jean-Luc Mélenchon, leader of France Unbowed, criticized the Socialists on X (formerly Twitter), accusing them of “fracturing the NFP.”
While some members of the far-right National Rally party criticized Bayrou’s policy speech, MP Jean-Philippe Tanguy emphasized the party would assess the government based on concrete actions.
Although Bayrou avoided defeat, the coming weeks are expected to bring significant challenges as France still lacks a budget plan for 2025.
Political Uncertainty Ahead
Bayrou’s predecessor, Michel Barnier, was forced out in December after his budget proposal failed. The NFP and far-right MPs united to file a successful no-confidence motion against his government.
While Bayrou’s survival offers temporary stability, his government must navigate a fractured political landscape, budgetary hurdles, and growing tensions within the coalition. The Socialist Party’s decision underscores divisions within the left and raises questions about the NFP’s future unity.
