PREVIEW

France Faces Possible Political Turmoil After PM Bayrou’s Confidence-Vote Gamble. Prime Minister Francois Bayrou has called a September 8 confidence vote on his debt-cutting plan, surprising the French political establishment. Opposition parties, from the far-left to far-right, have declared they will vote against Bayrou, threatening his minority government. Socialist lawmaker Boris Vallaud said France needs a new Prime Minister and a different policy. Hard-left leader Jean-Luc Melenchon went further, suggesting President Emmanuel Macron himself should resign. Finance Minister Eric Lombard said last-minute negotiations are ongoing but unlikely to succeed. France’s CAC40 index fell nearly 2% and 10-year bond yields reached their highest since March amid the political uncertainty. Justice Minister Gerald Darmanin acknowledged another parliamentary dissolution cannot be ruled out, a costly and rare move. Macron, who alone can dissolve parliament, has not commented, though Bayrou’s team said he approved the plan.
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