France’s hard-left leader Jean-Luc Mélenchon calls for mass protests to topple Prime Minister François Bayrou’s government.
Mélenchon accuses the government of betraying the nation, enriching the elite, and steering the country toward catastrophe.
In a column published in La Tribune, Mélenchon demanded an extraordinary session of the National Assembly, a nationwide mobilisation on September 10, and the immediate dismissal of Bayrou and his cabinet.
“We call on everyone who shares our principles and determination to end the Bayrou government to immediately join the local collectives organising this mobilisation and do everything possible to ensure its success,” he said in a column published on August 17 in La Tribune.
At the same time, the veteran leftist vowed to use parliamentary warfare, pledging to table a motion of no confidence as soon as deputies return. “Our country has no time to lose,” he warned.
Mélenchon accused Bayrou of preparing a “devastating” budget that would gut public services, shred social protections, and deepen inequality, all while shielding France’s billionaire class.
“The expansion of their [ultra-rich] profits has turned into a social war against our people,” he wrote.
The column, backed by senior figures of La France Insoumise (LFI) and by European Parliament Vice-President Younous Omarjee, also denounced Bayrou’s record on climate, healthcare, water shortages, wildfire management, and foreign policy.
Bayrou, meanwhile, has been on the defensive, releasing a slick video series earlier this month to justify his government’s €45 billion savings plan.
The move only further inflamed anger among the Left and citizens.
The French Prime Minister François Bayrou has launched a new video series aimed at defending his government’s €45 billion savings plan, fuelling widespread anger. https://t.co/A7tcrLLRwH
— Brussels Signal (@brusselssignal) August 6, 2025
