Macron faces setback as French government falls after PM Bayrou loses confidence vote

French President Emmanuel Macron suffered a major blow on Monday after Prime Minister François Bayrou was ousted in a resounding parliamentary no-confidence vote. Lawmakers voted 364 to 194 against Bayrou, forcing his government to collapse just eight months after he took office.

Bayrou, 74, is set to formally tender his resignation to Macron on Tuesday morning. His departure marks the third time in two years that a Macron-appointed prime minister has been forced to quit. Bayrou’s predecessor, Michel Barnier, was ousted in December after lasting barely three months, making him the shortest-serving prime minister in modern French history.

The political crisis comes just weeks after Macron’s pledge to recognise Palestine, a move that stirred debate across France’s political spectrum. Analysts say the confidence vote outcome underscores growing instability in Macron’s second term and raises questions about his ability to steer through mounting challenges.