French legislature poised to oust Prime Minister, dealing potential setback to Macron

In a dramatic turn of events, French Prime Minister Bayrou has called for a confidence vote, plunging the country into a political crisis. This decision follows the ejection of Michel Barnier from the post just three months ago.

The vote will force President Macron to make one of the most critical decisions of his presidency: whether to appoint a seventh prime minister or call snap elections. According to a poll by Odoxa-Backbone for Le Figaro newspaper, 64 percent of French citizens want Macron to resign rather than name a new prime minister.

Bayrou needs a majority of the 577 MPs in the National Assembly to survive the vote. However, opposition parties have stated they will vote against Bayrou's minority government, making it highly improbable he will get enough backing to survive.

The budget at the heart of the crisis foresees almost 44 billion euros ($52 billion) of cost savings to reduce France's debt pile. The austerity measures have been met with widespread disapproval, with around 77 percent of people not approving of Macron's work, according to an Ifop poll for the Ouest-France daily.

Trade unions have urged workers to strike on September 18, and a left-wing collective called "Block Everything" is calling for a day of action on Wednesday. The socialist leader Olivier Faure has made no secret of his readiness to take the post of prime minister, but political opposition from the conservative Républicains party against a Socialist Prime Minister appointment is emphasized.

Amidst the political turmoil, Macron has urged centrist parties that support him to "work with the Socialist Party". However, a close associate of Macron stated that Macron was keeping his cards close to his chest regarding cooperation with the Socialist Party. If the Socialist party leader Olivier Faure were appointed Prime Minister, a possible successor as Socialist party leader could be discussed, but no specific person is named in the provided sources.

Addressing the crisis after an international summit on Ukraine, Macron called on France's political forces to demonstrate "responsibility" and ensure "stability". Bayrou himself appears to acknowledge that his time has run out, having invited his ministers for farewell drinks.

As the political landscape in France shifts, Macron expressed that the reshaping of the world is changing many things for Europe, and France must continue to move forward. The outcome of the confidence vote and the decisions that follow will shape the course of France's future.

French legislature poised to oust Prime Minister, dealing potential setback to Macron