French parliament set to eject PM in blow to Macron | International

PARIS, Sept 8, 2025 (BSS/AFP) - France's parliament is expected to oust Prime Minister Francois Bayrou on Monday after just nine months in office, plunging the key EU member into new political uncertainty and creating a painful dilemma for President Emmanuel Macron. Bayrou blindsided even his allies by calling a confidence vote to end a months-long standoff over his austerity budget, which foresees almost 44 billion euros ($52 billion) of cost savings to reduce France's debt pile. Opposition parties across the board have made it clear they will vote against his minority government, making it highly improbable he will get enough backing to survive -- he needs a majority of the 577 MPs in the National Assembly. Bayrou will become...