France is plunged into a fresh political crisis as MPs vote to oust the prime minister
French President Emmanuel Macron will name a new prime minister "in a matter of days", his office says - who's in the running?
Prime Minister François Bayrou called the surprise vote of confidence in himself after huge opposition to his budget plans.
The outcome of this no confidence vote can be traced back to President Emmanuel Macron's decision to call a snap parliamentary election in June 2024.
The results showed voters had edged toward the extremes and left Macron with a weakened and divided minority centrist government - making it a challenge for any prime minister to garner support to pass bills.
In September, Macron appointed Michel Barnier as prime minister but he was ejected after just three months.
The current makeup of the French National Assembly shows far right Marine Le Pen's National Rally and its allies hold the most seats with 138.
Behind them is President Macron's centrist alliance, Ensemble, with 91 seats. Followed by left-wing parties France Unbowed and the Socialists and allies.
