Janice R. Andrews
Paris, France – January 17, 2025
France’s newly appointed Prime Minister François Bayrou and his government narrowly avoided a no-confidence vote on Thursday. The motion, introduced by the far-left France Unbowed party (La France Insoumise or LFI), failed after both the far-right National Rally (RN) and the center-left Socialist Party (PS) opted not to support it. The result highlights the deep divisions within France’s National Assembly.
Far-Right Critiques Without Support
RN leader Jordan Bardella criticized Bayrou’s proposal to revisit the controversial 2023 pension reform, calling it “idle talk” from “a man of spineless continuity.” Despite this, RN lawmakers did not back the motion.
“We don’t believe a no-confidence vote should be used as a gimmick to grab attention,” said RN lawmaker Jean-Philippe Tanguy. RN Vice President Sebastien Chenu stated the party would evaluate the government’s actions before deciding to take any such measures.
Socialist Party Issues Caution
The Socialist Party, which had previously joined forces with LFI to oppose the RN in parliamentary elections, also withheld its support for the motion. PS leader Olivier Faure remarked, “We will not censor you today,” but warned that his party might take action in the future if needed.
Bayrou Urges Unity and Compromise
Prime Minister Bayrou welcomed the outcome and called for unity amidst the ongoing political challenges.
“Our choice, in these serious times, is between endless confrontation and the pursuit of dialogue, compromise, and negotiation to move the country forward,” he said. Bayrou accused LFI of fueling division and warned against their confrontational approach.
A Parliament in Disarray
The vote reflects the precarious position of Bayrou’s centrist government, which lacks an absolute majority in a fractured assembly. His predecessor, Michel Barnier, faced similar instability, which ultimately led to his government’s collapse in December after just three months in office.
President Emmanuel Macron’s decision to call snap parliamentary elections last year—following RN’s success in European elections—has left the National Assembly deeply divided. Macron later acknowledged the move had caused “divisions” and “instability,” further complicating the government’s ability to enact reforms.
What Lies Ahead
LFI’s national coordinator, Manuel Bompard, warned that Bayrou’s government is nearing its end, declaring, “When it falls, the monarch will follow,” in a reference to Macron. However, French constitutional rules prevent new legislative elections until July, giving Bayrou limited time to address France’s pressing issues.
With critical debates on pension reform and budget deficits looming, the government faces significant challenges in building consensus and stabilizing French politics.
