France has been thrown into fresh political turmoil after Prime Minister François Bayrou was removed from office in a dramatic no-confidence vote.

The National Assembly voted overwhelmingly to oust Bayrou, with 364 lawmakers backing the motion and 194 opposing it. His dismissal marks the third time in a year that France has lost a prime minister through a parliamentary vote, underscoring deep divisions in the country’s fractured legislature.

Bayrou, a longtime ally of President Emmanuel Macron, had only been in office since December 2024. His downfall was fueled by fierce opposition to his proposed €44 billion austerity plan, which included scrapping two public holidays and slashing spending to curb France’s soaring debt.

The collapse of the government leaves Macron facing the daunting task of appointing a fourth prime minister in less than 12 months, at a time when France’s debt crisis and investor concerns are intensifying. The political gridlock also threatens progress on the crucial 2026 budget.

Opposition leaders, including far-right figure Marine Le Pen, are now pushing for snap elections, while analysts warn that France’s instability could rattle markets and deepen economic uncertainty.