The long-term survival prospects of French Prime Minister Francois Bayrou's minority government have shrunk as he fights to keep the Socialist Party from backing a no-confidence vote on Thursday. Although Bayrou looks likely to ride out the no-confidence motion put forward by 58 far-left France Unbowed (LFI),

French Prime Minister Francois Bayrou confronts a dramatic showdown in parliament as opposition forces mount a no-confidence vote over his controversial budget reforms and pension plans. Despite fierce criticism from both left and right,

There should be “no totems or taboos” as new prime minister fights to reform pensions — and keep his job.

The French centre-left Socialist party will not back a no-confidence motion against Prime Minister Francois Bayrou's government, Le Figaro reported on Thursday, citing an intra-party meeting.

New French Prime Minister François Bayrou is considering changing the voting system for the National Assembly, he said in his first government statement on Tuesday. The 73-year-old has long been a proponent of introducing proportional representation in France.