François Bayrou handed his resignation letter to French President Emmanuel Macron on Tuesday, a day after losing a confidence vote in the National Assembly.
The president announced he would appoint a new prime minister in the coming days, who will be tasked with forming a new government. Bayrou’s departure means Macron must now find a third prime minister this year.
Bayrou was forced out after proposing budget cuts worth €44 billion aimed at tackling the country’s mounting debt.
With the National Assembly split between three major political blocs, the new prime minister will face an unenviable challenge, particularly with the next presidential elections scheduled for 2027.
According to local media, potential successors include Defence Minister Sébastien Lecornu and Interior Minister Bruno Retailleau.
However, Macron’s choice will need to take into account the views of the main political groups in the Assembly, who retain the power to topple the government through another confidence vote.
