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,

The prospects of French Prime Minister Francois Bayrou's minority government surviving in the long term appeared slimmer after the Socialist Party raised the threat of backing a no-confidence vote on Thursday.

Green and Communist parties have put forward a no-confidence motion against Bayrou's minority government. The political instability in France, which had four prime ministers last year, has rattled markets.

French Prime Minister Francois Bayrou faces his first vote of no confidence in parliament Thursday, with the motion unlikely to pass.

Ahead of an expected trust vote, French Prime Minister Francois Bayrou has opened negotiations regarding a pension reforms to reach an understanding with left-wing lawmakers

France's new Prime Minister François Bayrou is set to face a no-confidence vote in the Paris parliament on Thursday afternoon. If successful, this would mean the collapse of the newly formed centre-right government,