French Prime Minister Survives No Confidence Votes After Pushing Through Budget

François Bayrou has outmaneuvered a deeply divided parliament, securing a lifeline from both the Socialists and the National Rally.

French Prime Minister Francois Bayrou at the Elysee Palace in Paris on Jan. 15, 2025. Sarah Meyssonnier/Reuters

After French Prime Minister François Bayrou survived two no-confidence votes in parliament, the French Senate approved the 2025 budget on Feb. 6, sending it to the Constitutional Council for review.

Centrist Bayrou made use of special constitutional powers to advance the delayed budget, which aims to reduce the deficit by trimming spending and raising taxes.