French Prime Minister François Bayrou warned that the country is “on the brink of over-indebtedness” as he unveiled details of his 2026 draft budget at a press conference in Paris on 25 August. The plan seeks about €44 billion in savings through measures that include cutting two public holidays and freezing some social-welfare payments. Bayrou said servicing the national debt will absorb €66 billion this year and could climb to €75 billion in 2026, overtaking all other state spending. He added that public liabilities have grown by roughly €12 million every hour for two decades, calling the trend an immediate threat to France’s economic sovereignty. To secure parliamentary backing, the premier asked President Emmanuel Macron to summon lawmakers for an extraordinary session and said he will put his government’s survival on the line in a confidence vote on 8 September. Left-wing alliance LFI, the far-right National Rally and other opposition groups have already signalled they may file or support censure motions, while unions and activist networks are urging a nationwide protest to “block the country” on 10 September.