The French government has collapsed following a no-confidence vote against Prime Minister François Bayrou, marking a significant rupture in the nation’s political landscape.

French lawmakers approved the motion to remove Bayrou on Monday, with 364 members voting against him and 194 supporting his continued tenure. The decision came after Bayrou sought to advance a contentious €44 billion ($51 billion) austerity plan, which included eliminating two public holidays and freezing government expenditures. The vote exceeded the required 280 votes needed to dissolve the administration, forcing Bayrou to resign after just nine months in office.

Bayrou’s departure follows similar turmoil for his predecessor, Michel Barnier, who was ousted in December 2023. French President Emmanuel Macron now faces the challenge of appointing a new prime minister amid escalating economic pressures and geopolitical instability.

The crisis has unsettled financial markets, with yields on French government bonds surpassing those of Spain, Portugal, and Greece—nations once central to the eurozone debt crisis. A potential downgrade of France’s sovereign credit rating later this week could further undermine its economic standing.

Bayrou criticized the political deadlock in his final address, stating, “You have the power to bring down the government, but you do not have the power to erase reality.” He highlighted rising expenses and an unsustainable debt burden, accusing the government of breaking the social contract with younger generations.

The instability stems from Macron’s controversial decision last year to call a snap election. His party suffered losses to far-right and far-left factions in the 2024 European Parliament elections, resulting in a fragmented parliament that has fueled ongoing governance challenges.