Ritello, speaking at a think tank seminar, stated, “France has never been this close to the financial brink.” On Monday, Bayrou said that the matter of the government’s confidence will be raised in an extraordinary parliamentary session on September 8. The vote will take place amid public discontent over the austerity measures included in the 2026 budget proposal. Major opposition parties have already announced their intention to withdraw confidence from the government.
In July, Bayrou presented the 2026 budget proposal. He stated that the government intends to save 43.8 billion euros across various budget items, instead of the previously planned 40 billion euros. This decision was made “due to the deterioration of the global security situation,” under which the French Ministry of Defense will receive an additional 3.5 billion euros.
