France in political crisis after PM Bayrou's confidence-vote gamble

France lurched into a political crisis after Prime Minister Francois Bayrou gambled on a confidence vote, with little hope of any quick solution to fix its ailing public finances, whether a new government or a snap parliamentary election comes next

France lurched into a political crisis after Prime Minister Francois Bayrou gambled on a confidence vote, with little hope of any quick solution to fix its ailing public finances, whether a new government or a snap parliamentary election comes next.

French markets tumbled after Bayrou jolted the political establishment out of its summer slumber on Monday with his unexpected move to seek a September 8 confidence vote on his debt-cutting plan.

The main opposition parties were quick to make it clear that they would be voting against him and his minority government, meaning it is all but certain to fall, barring a deal the opposition said was not going to happen.

Interior Minister Bruno Retailleau, who leads the conservative Republicans, said it would be “irresponsible” and “against France’s interests” to vote for the government to fall. Others disagreed.

The far-right National Rally said Bayrou had de facto announced the end of his government. Marine Le Pen’s party now wants President Emmanuel Macron to call a snap parliamentary election.