- François Bayrou is set to resign as French prime minister after losing a vote of confidence in the National Assembly.
- His resignation, after just nine months in office, plunges France into further political turmoil, forcing President Emmanuel Macron to choose between appointing a fifth prime minister in two years or calling a new parliamentary election.
- Mr Bayrou had called the vote of confidence to rally support for his €44bn austerity plan for 2026, but the opposition treated it as a referendum on his leadership.
- President Macron is facing blame for France's political crisis, having called a surprise snap election last year that resulted in a deadlocked parliament.
- France is grappling with significant economic challenges, including high public spending and a national debt of €3.35trn, which represents almost 114 per cent of its GDP.
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