France Faces More Political Upheaval

PARIS (AP) — France risks losing its third prime minister in 12 months on Monday, with François Bayrou facing a parliamentary confidence vote. Bayrou, appointed by President Emmanuel Macron nine months ago, hopes to unite lawmakers behind proposed public spending cuts. However, opposition lawmakers are determined to topple Bayrou and his coalition government. The National Assembly is holding an extraordinary session for the vote. If Bayrou loses, he must resign, plunging France into renewed crisis. Macron’s previous attempts to stabilize his government have failed, leaving him with no dominant political bloc in parliament and ongoing financial challenges.