France: Prime Minister Bayrou ousted in confidence vote

Paris: French Prime Minister Francois Bayrou has lost a no-confidence vote in parliament over his government's planned austerity measures.

In a vote in the National Assembly, 364 deputies voted that they had no confidence in the government while just 194 gave it their confidence.

"In line with article 50 of the constitution, the prime minister must submit the resignation of his government," said speaker Yael Braun-Pivet.

Bayrou expected to hand in his resignation to President Emmanuel Macron on Tuesday.

Following Bayrou's ouster, Macron must choose a new prime minister or call new elections.

What happens now?
Now that Francois Bayrou's government has fallen, the prime minister must hand in his resignation.

President Emmanuel Macron will then need to either choose a new prime minister or call snap elections.

While certain factions, particularly the far-right National Rally, have argued in favor of new elections, members of the left-wing New Popular Front (NFP) alliance are urging for Macron to appoint a prime minister from the left.

New elections are unlikely to result in a more favorable parliament for Macron, as his centrist alliance is currently suffering in the polls.

Bayrou is a member of Macron's centrist faction and had governed in coalition with center-right parties, such as the conservative Republicans.