Political Instability in France: The Rise and Fall of Four French Prime Ministers less than Two Years

France has undergone political unrest after losing 4 prime ministers in less than 2 years. The latest was Francois Bayrou, the first prime minister to lose a confidence vote he himself initiated. This rapid turnover in leadership highlights growing instability within the French government, raising concerns about the French’s government  ability to govern effectively. 

Elizabeth Born was the first prime minister that lost her position in the 2 years, keeping her role from May 2022 to January 2024. Being regarded as Macron's, the French president, second choice option in 2022, she oversaw around 60 laws, including changes to unemployment insurance, while facing backlash for resorting to Article 49.3 on 23 different occasions, which earned her the label “Madame 49.3”. Specifically, Article 49. 3 of the French Constitution enables the government to push a bill through without need of a parliamentary vote, unless lawmakers succeed in adopting a motion of no confidence. Her administration as prime minister was marked by the adoption of the pension reform in March 2023, enacted despite mass public protest. The reform raised the retirement age to 64 and extended contribution years to 43, and sparked backlash for being seen as unfair to workers and for being passed without a parliamentary vote. According to the Interior Ministry, about 1.089 million people demonstrated across France against Macron’s pension overhaul, including 119,000 in Paris alone. The immigration bill at the end of 2023 further divided the presidential campaign and led to Cabinet resignations. On January 9th, 2024, Macron asked her to resign her post.

After Elizabeth Born's resignation, Macron turned to Gabriel Attal, who was  34 at the time, making him the youngest prime minister France has ever had. Gabriel Attal was unable to carry out his agenda as prime minister because unexpected early elections were held soon after he took office. President Macron called these snap elections in June–July 2024 after the far right made major gains in the European elections, hoping to gain more seats and solidify his majority in the National Assembly, but the move instead interrupted Attal’s mandate and limited his ability to govern to rule France properly.The strategy instead backfired, resulting in a hung parliament divided among three competing sides : the left-leaning New Popular Front, Macron’s centrist coalition, and the far-right. Following the election, Attal offered his resignation but Macron chose to keep him to ensure political stability and continuity while coalition negotiations were ongoing, and because Attal remained a loyal and popular figure within the presidential camp. It wasn’t until July 16  that it was announced that the president finally accepted his resignation and would only stay in his chair until a suitable candidate was found. 

Looking for a suitable candidate took a while until Macron found veteran statesman Michel Barnier, the former EU Brexit negotiator, was appointed prime minister on Sept. 5, 2024. During his mandate, he used his constitutional authority to push through a contentious €60 billion ($70.5 billion) deficit-cutting budget, which included major social security reforms. His appointment of prime minister was a move to reassure markets and allies. However, Barnier’s government fell on December 4, 2024, only three months into his appointment, after lawmakers passed a motion of no confidence with 331 votes, well over the 288 required. This marked the first time a French prime minister had been removed by a no-confidence vote since 1962. It was definitely a historic move within the French government. After his defeat, Barnier resigned the following day, nullifying his plans for the disputed budget.

Macron then appointed Francois Bayrou, a seasoned centrist and longtime ally, as prime minister on December 13, 2024. Bayrou entered office pledging fiscal responsibility, revealing precaution and measures he would take to counter France’s soaring debts. His plan involved spending cuts and reforms that critics quickly labeled as austerity. Facing backlash, he put his position on the line to call a vote of confidence under Article 49., which is the article in the French Constitution that calls for an impromptu election. Lawmakers voted 364 against his government and only 194 in favor, making him the first and only prime minister who was removed through a confidence vote he himself initiated.

Political Instability in France