Macron backs Prime Minister François Bayrou ahead of critical confidence vote

French President Emmanuel Macron threw his weight behind the country’s prime minister, François Bayrou, who is facing a confidence vote against his government that he instigated.

Bayrou, facing widespread pushback against budget reforms that he said are vital to France’s financial future, said on Monday that he will call a vote of confidence for his government on Sept. 8 at the National Assembly. He told opposition factions on Tuesday that they have until then to decide “whether they are on the side of chaos or responsibility.”