France’s Government Has Collapsed: What’s Next for President Macron?
France’s government has collapsed: what’s next for President Macron? The shock came after Prime Minister François Bayrou and his cabinet resigned, following a failed confidence vote in the National Assembly. Now, Macron faces limited and difficult options to stabilize his administration.
How Did It Happen?
Bayrou, a centrist ally of Macron, had unexpectedly called for a confidence vote last month. He aimed to secure support for cost-cutting measures designed to tackle France’s soaring public debt. Instead, lawmakers rejected the motion, forcing his government to step down.
This setback highlights a broader deadlock in French politics. The National Assembly remains split into three major blocs: a left-wing alliance, a fragile center-right coalition, and the far-right National Rally party. This division has paralyzed decision-making and weakened Macron’s ability to push through key reforms.
Macron’s Options Going Forward
- Appointing a New Prime Minister
The most immediate option is to name a new prime minister and form another cabinet. Macron’s office announced he would make a decision “within the next few days.”Possible candidates include Sébastien Lecornu, the defense minister from the center-right, and Éric Lombard, the economy minister, who has good ties with the Socialist Party. However, any new leader will face the same challenge: building enough support in a fractured parliament to pass the 2026 budget. - Calling New Parliamentary Elections
Several opposition parties are urging Macron to dissolve parliament and call early elections. They argue that simply changing the prime minister won’t solve the deeper political crisis.Macron has resisted this move, fearing losses for his centrist coalition. According to a recent IFOP poll, the far-right National Rally could win 32–33% of the vote, the left-wing bloc around 25–26%, while Macron’s centrists trail at just 15%. - Macron’s Resignation
A more radical option would be for Macron to step down, triggering an early presidential election. This has only happened once in modern French history, when Charles de Gaulle resigned in 1969.The far-left France Unbowed party has been pushing for this, accusing Macron of mismanaging the economy and losing public trust. Support for the president has plunged, with only 15% of voters expressing confidence in him, according to Le Figaro.Still, Macron has vowed to complete his term through 2027 and, under French law, he cannot run again.
Rising Social Tensions
The French Constitution does not set a deadline for naming a new prime minister. Until Macron makes his choice, Bayrou’s cabinet will continue in a caretaker role. However, the president is expected to move quickly, giving the new government time to draft a budget.
Meanwhile, public unrest is growing. A protest movement called “Bloquons Tout” (“Let’s Block Everything”) has called for nationwide demonstrations this week. Labor unions are also planning mass strikes on September 18, warning that any austerity measures would unfairly target working- and middle-class citizens.
A Rocky Road Ahead
Macron now faces one of the toughest moments of his presidency. Whether he opts for a new cabinet, fresh elections, or simply tries to hold on, France remains caught in a political deadlock with no easy solutions in sight.
