The prime minister last month unveiled an aggressive €43.8 billion budget squeeze for next year projected to bring the 2026 budget deficit down to 4.6 percent of gross domestic product.
But the proposal, which also slashes two public holidays, sparked fury among opposition parties, some of whom vowed topple Bayrou if he forged ahead without significant changes.
Bayrou must also contend with the threat of massive demonstrations and a nationwide shutdown being organized on Sept. 10.
By calling a confidence vote before the protests and the French legislature’s return to business, Bayrou is effectively choosing to accelerate his fate and face the risk of collapse head-on.
“There are moments in life when only a calculated risk can allow you to escape a more serious risk,” Bayrou said. “It is a matter of the survival of our state, the image of our nation, and each and every family.”