French Prime Minister François Bayrou forced his 2025 budget plan through parliament without a vote from the MPs on Monday, using a special constitutional tool known as Article 49.3 to pass the long-overdue bill. The move opens his recently appointed government to the risk of a no-confidence vote as early as Wednesday. The Socialist Party (PS), part of the left-wing coalition New Popular Front (NFP), said on Monday afternoon that it has chosen not to vote against Bayrou's government just yet. The Socialist Party said in a press release that they are ready to table a no-confidence motion only "after the budget has been adopted." However, the hard-left France Unbowed Party (LFI) announced it would be putting forward two no-confidence motions: one against the state budget plan and a second against the social security budget plan. "This illegitimate government must fall," LFI said on its official X account. The far-right National Rally Party (RN) are still hesitating, telling reporters they will decide whether to vote against Bayrou by Wednesday. The contentious budget plan aims to reduce the country's skyrocketing public deficit to 5.4% this year from an estimated 6% in 2024. To achieve this, Bayrou's government aims to cut an eye-watering €30bn and raise taxes by €20bn on superprofits and the wealthiest households. France has been under pressure from the EU for its deficit, which is more than double the percentage authorised by Brussels. Bayrou's predecessor Michel Barnier was ousted in December after the far right and the NFP joined forces to topple the government. France has been embroiled in a deep political crisis after French President Emmanuel Macron shockingly dissolved the National Assembly in June 2024 after his party lost to the far-right in the European elections. — Euronews
