SHOTLIST:

PARIS, FRANCE (SEPT. 8, 2025) (ANADOLU - ACCESS ALL)

1. VARIOUS OF NATIONAL ASSEMBLY IN PARIS

2. VARIOUS OF JEAN-LUC MELENCHON, A LEADER OF FAR-LEFT FRANCE UNBOWED PARTY, FRENCH DEPUTIES WALKING TOGETHER

3. VARIOUS OF SPEECHES BEING DELIVERED / LAWMAKERS WALKING IN NATIONAL ASSEMBLY PARIS, FRANCE - SEPT. 8, 2025: French deputies arrived at the National Assembly in Paris on Monday, Sept. 8, ahead of a confidence vote on Prime Minister Francois Bayrou.

Jean-Luc Melenchon, a leader of the far-left France Unbowed (LFI) party, also entered the chamber accompanied by members of his group prior to the vote.

France is facing mounting political tensions as Bayrou prepares for the crucial confidence vote in the National Assembly.

Bayrou, who unveiled a 2026 budget framework in July, is seeking support for a plan to save nearly €44 billion ($51 billion) as part of efforts to reduce France’s soaring public debt, now at 113% of its GDP.

France also has one of the EU's largest budget deficits at 5.8%.

Warning that the country is “on the brink of over-indebtedness,” Bayrou earlier urged lawmakers to choose “responsibility over chaos.”

Opposition parties across the spectrum, from the far-left LFI to the far-right National Rally (RN), as well as the Socialists, have vowed to vote against the government.

Budget negotiations have been a major source of tension in French politics.

The failure to reach an agreement on the 2025 budget last year led to the collapse of the Michel Barnier government in December, after left-wing and far-right parties united behind a no-confidence motion.