PREVIEW

Macron Seeks New Prime Minister After Bayrou’s Government Collapses. French President Emmanuel Macron is searching for his fifth prime minister in under two years after the defeat of centre-right PM Francois Bayrou. Bayrou lost a parliamentary confidence vote 364-194 over unpopular budget-tightening plans and will formally resign to Macron on Tuesday. Macron faces the challenge of uniting a fragmented parliament and passing a budget for next year. Defence Minister Sebastien Lecornu is among potential candidates, along with options from the centre-left or technocrats. There are no formal rules or deadlines for Macron’s choice, but he is expected to appoint a new prime minister in the coming days. Socialist Party chief Olivier Faure called for a left-green government, asserting it is their “turn to govern.” The far-right National Rally renewed calls for snap parliamentary or presidential elections, which Macron has ruled out. Early market reaction was muted, with investors awaiting France’s sovereign rating review by Fitch on Friday. Anti-government “Let’s Block Everything” protests are planned for Wednesday, with decentralized organization making turnout uncertain.
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