French PM loses confidence vote as country's political crisis deepens

French Prime Minister Francois Bayrou lost a confidence vote in the National Assembly, leading to the resignation of his minority government. Bayrou, in office for nine months, proposed a €44 billion spending cut plan to address spiraling public deficits. However, his rivals heavily criticized the plan, including the removal of two public holidays.

He called for unity, stating, "Our country has an urgent need for lucidity, it has the most urgent need for unity." Bayrou appealed to lawmakers to vote with their conscience, emphasizing the personal nature of their vote. President Emmanuel Macron now must find a new prime minister, his third in a year.