French Government Faces Opposition Ahead of Crucial Budget Vote
French centrist leader François Bayrou, aged 74, struggles to unify opposition parties behind his proposed budget measures ahead of a critical vote set for September 8, reports 24brussels.
In a recent interview, Bayrou sought to shift public discourse by urging political factions to acknowledge the financial challenges confronting France rather than passing judgment on his administration. He emphasized the necessity of collaboration to formulate a reduced budget for the upcoming fiscal year.
Bayrou indicated his openness to negotiating certain aspects of the budget, which he detailed last month, including a controversial plan to eliminate two public holidays. However, he remained steadfast on the broader goal of addressing France’s significant public debt, insisting that “the effort we must make to ensure that France chooses the path of reducing its over-indebtedness” cannot be compromised.
He warned of an “intolerable” deterioration in the country’s economic situation, highlighting the urgency of the proposed reforms.
Despite Bayrou’s efforts, major opposition parties have indicated their intention to defeat the government. Acknowledging the challenging political landscape, he struck a hopeful tone, believing that some opponents might reconsider their positions in the days leading up to the vote. “The political parties who said that they would topple the government, I’m sure that in the next 12 days, they might say we spoke a bit quickly, we went too far,” he asserted.
