• French PM François Bayrou calls a confidence vote on September 8 amid public discontent.
• Majority of French people favor dissolving parliament and new elections, according to polls.
• Opposition parties, including the far-right National Rally, plan to vote against Bayrou.
• French financial markets react negatively to the current political crisis.
• Public protests are planned for September 10, amplifying existing tensions.

France is facing a critical juncture as Prime Minister François Bayrou announced his intention to seek a vote of confidence in parliament on September 8, primarily aimed at garnering support for his controversial budget plan amidst soaring public debt. With plans to cut €44 billion from the budget, including proposals to eliminate two public holidays and freeze welfare spending, opposition parties have swiftly expressed their intent to reject his government, indicating an unstable political landscape ahead, according to Dawn, The Jakarta Post, and Reuters.

Recent polls show broad public support for dissolving parliament, with approximately 63% of respondents favoring new elections. This sentiment highlights widespread dissatisfaction with the current political situation, particularly given President Emmanuel Macron's previous strategy of parliamentary dissolution that has resulted in a minority government, as noted by Reuters and TRT Global.

Bayrou's call for a confidence vote comes against a backdrop of increasing pressure from opposing parties, including the Socialists, the Greens, and the far-right National Rally, all of whom have promised to vote against him. This unified stance suggests that the government is likely to face defeat, raising the specter of a fresh crisis just weeks after addressing longstanding fiscal issues, according to BBC and Reuters.

The political uncertainty has negatively impacted French financial markets, pushing stocks and bond yields down significantly. Following the announcement of the confidence vote, the CAC 40 index fell sharply, reflecting investor concerns over the government's fiscal plans and the likelihood of political instability, as reported by BBC and Reuters.

As pressure mounts, Bayrou has acknowledged the precarious nature of his leadership, stating that lawmakers face a choice between "chaos" and "responsibility." Additionally, he urged citizens to influence their representatives towards a more prudent approach, with protests against the government's austerity measures planned for September 10 coinciding with the confidence vote, according to Reuters and BBC.