French Pm Puts Government On The Line By Seeking Confidence Vote

The move is being seen in the context of the country’s growing public debt crisis

French Prime Minister Francois Béraud has announced that his government will seek a confidence vote in the National Assembly on September 8.

The move is being seen in the context of the country’s growing public debt crisis, which could be a major political test for his minority government.

“I have requested the president, and he has approved, to convene an extraordinary session of parliament on Monday, September 8,” Béraud said during a press conference in Paris. According to him, the government is going to implement annual savings measures of about 44 billion euros ($51 billion) to reduce France’s fiscal deficit.

Immediately after the prime minister’s announcement, Jordan Bardella, leader of the far-right National Rally (RN) party, made it clear that his party would not support the proposed cuts.

He said: “François Béréau has just announced the end of his government, which has been hollowed out by its negligent inaction. The RN will never vote for a government whose decisions hurt the people.”

The far-left party France Indépendant (LFI) has also announced its vote against the government. This means that Béréau’s government faces intense pressure and the risk of defeat in the coming days.

François Béréau already lacks a clear majority in the lower house of the National Assembly. If his government fails to win a vote of confidence, it will mean he will have to leave power and possibly pave the way for new elections in the country.

Recall that in July, François Béréau, while unveiling the 2026 budget, said that he planned to reduce the number of national holidays to increase productivity and overcome the financial crisis. He called the growing debt “a curse on the country.”

Under EU rules, France has been under strict orders to rein in its public deficit and reduce its debt, as spending limits have been exceeded for years.

Political observers say a defeat for Prime Minister Béréau would not only spell the end of his government but also a new crisis in France’s political landscape. It could open the way for parties like the National Rally, which have enjoyed a surge in popularity in recent years, to contest the elections.