François Bayrou is almost certain to lose gamble. Will a new PM be appointed and could there be a snap election?
Analysis: how budget deficit became political crisis
The French prime minister, François Bayrou, has surprised France by calling a sudden confidence vote on 8 September, saying he needs backing from parliament for austerity measures to reduce the public debt.
Bayrou is almost certain to lose the gamble. All opposition parties from the far right to the left have said they will vote to topple the prime minister and his minority government after only nine months in office.
This would create a fresh political crisis. The French president, Emmanuel Macron, would have to decide whether to swiftly choose a replacement prime minister, while any new appointee could face the same difficulties as Bayrou in securing support.
