Embattled French Prime Minister François Bayrou said his government would seek a vote of confidence on September 8 to gain parliamentary support for its fight against rising public debt.

Far-right National Rally leader Jordan Bardella immediately said his party would not support Bayrou's planned cuts, meaning the minority government could suffer defeat in the vote.

Bayrou announced at a press conference that the National Assembly would be asked to "confirm the scale" of the spending cuts, as the government aims to save around €44 billion a year.

"I asked the president, who agreed, to convene an extraordinary session of parliament on Monday, September 8," he said.

Bayrou does not have a majority in the lower house of parliament, the National Assembly, and the upcoming vote highlights the fragility of his position.

The prime minister said France was going through a "decisive moment."

"If you have a majority, the government is confirmed. If you don't have a majority, the government falls," Bayrou said.

Both the far-left France Unbowed (LFI) and the far-right NR Bardeau have said they will use the vote to try to bring down the centrist government.

"François Bayrou has just announced the end of his government, undermined by his complacent inaction. NR will never vote in favor of a government whose decisions cause suffering to the French people. Our fellow citizens are waiting for change and a return to the polls: we are ready," Bardela wrote in a post on social media.

In mid-July, Bayrou presented his proposals for the 2026 budget. He indicated that he wanted to reduce the number of public holidays in France as part of his efforts to tackle the "curse" of public debt.

After years of excessive spending, France is forced to control its public deficit and reduce its growing debt, as required by EU rules. | BGNES