Today, French Prime Minister Francois Bayrou faces an important confidence vote that will decide the future of his political career and of the French government.
The 2026 Budget Plan has been heavily debated in government chambers. The main focus of the plan is reducing the deficit through drastic measures, one such policy being the elimination of two public holidays.
If the Prime Minister loses the confidence vote, he will resign. In that case, another round of parliamentary elections will take place, and another Prime Minister will be appointed. The Prime Minister is expected to lose the confidence vote, as most deputies are unlikely to support the austerity measures for fear of losing the backing of their constituents.
Strikes
The austerity measures proposed by the Prime Minister have been highly unpopular with opposition figures and the public. Railroad strikes on September 10 organized by Sud-Rail, France's third largest union, are expected to paralyze the country’s rail system, while the SNCTNA strikes on September 18 are expected to disrupt the air travel industry, as air traffic controllers will not report for their morning shifts until late evening on the 19th.
The involvement of other large unions is not known as of yet, however, strikes in France usually include those in the transportation sector alongside sanitation and other public service jobs.