France's government has fallen after François Bayrou lost a confidence vote he called in the Assemblée Nationale, meaning he is no longer French prime minister. After nearly three hours of speeches, 364 MPs voted against, 194 in favor.
January 9, 2024: After a tense vote in the Assemblée Nationale, Emmanuel Macron decided to reshuffle his cabinet and name a new prime minister, Gabriel Attal.
June 9, 2024: Marine Le Pen's far-right Rassemblement National (RN) obtained a historic score in the European Parliament elections, winning 30 of France's 81 seats. One hour after the results were announced, Macron shocked the nation by dissolving the Assemblée Nationale, triggering snap elections.
July 7, 2024: The left-wing Nouveau Front Populaire (NFP) alliance defied expectations of an RN victory and won more seats than any other bloc. The NFP later put forward Lucie Castets, a little-known civil servant, as its candidate for prime minister.
September 5, 2024: Macron picked Michel Barnier, of the conservative Les Républicains (LR) party, to become prime minister. Together, Macron's coalition and LR had more seats than the NFP.
December 4, 2024: Barnier's government collapsed as the far right and left backed a motion of confidence. The votes also scuttled Barnier's budget for 2025.
December 13, 2024: Macron appointed his longtime centrist ally François Bayrou to replace Barnier. The coalition backing Bayrou in Parliament was the same as Barnier's.
February 6, 2025: France belatedly passed a budget for 2025 as Bayrou forced the legislation through without a vote. The RN and the Socialists abstained from backing the resulting motion of no confidence.
August 25, 2025: Bayrou called a vote of confidence ahead of the 2026 budget debates.
September 8, 2025: Bayrou ousted as prime minister after losing confidence vote at the Assemblée Nationale.
September 10, 2025: A day of protest under the slogan "Block Everything" is scheduled.