A severe political crisis is brewing for President Emmanuel Macron's government after a key centrist ally issued a stunning ultimatum over its controversial 2025 budget plan.
François Bayrou, leader of the Modem party—a crucial component of Macron's ruling coalition—has publicly threatened to vote against the finance bill. This move could potentially collapse the government if other allies follow suit.
The explosive confrontation centres on deep austerity measures targeting public spending. Budget Minister Eric Lombard has outlined plans to slash operating budgets across numerous ministries, including justice, education, and ecology, by a staggering 5-7%.
Bayrou's defiance stems from what he calls "incoherent" and "unjust" cuts that would disproportionately affect middle- and working-class French citizens. He particularly criticised the government's approach to finding €12 billion in savings, arguing it risks crippling public services.
The crisis escalated dramatically when Bayrou was reportedly blindsided by Lombard's announcement of a specific €600 million cut to the Caisse des Dépôts (CDC), a powerful public financial institution. Bayrou accused the government of negotiating in bad faith and presenting parliament with a fait accompli.
This rebellion is not merely a political disagreement; it represents an existential threat to Macron's administration. Without the support of Bayrou's Modem MPs, the government loses its majority in the National Assembly, potentially making the budget unpassable.
The situation creates a nearly impossible dilemma for Prime Minister Gabriel Attal: water down the austerity measures to satisfy coalition partners and risk missing deficit targets, or plough ahead and face a humiliating parliamentary defeat that could trigger early elections.
This high-stakes standoff reveals the profound fragility of Macron's coalition and sets the stage for one of the most critical political battles of his second term, with the economic future of France hanging in the balance.
