French Authorities Yet to Respond to Commission's Inquiry

In a significant political development, French Prime Minister François Bayrou has put the question of confidence to a vote in the National Assembly. This move comes after the opposition in France rejected the government's reforms, which include longer working hours, the abolition of two public holidays, and savings of around 44 billion euros in the budget.

The far-right and far-left opposition in France holds a majority in parliament, and the potential outcomes of their rejection of the government's reforms are yet to be determined. If Prime Minister Bayrou's motion fails in the National Assembly, he must resign, and President Emmanuel Macron will need to appoint a new Prime Minister. As of now, no specific successor has been officially named, but the political situation suggests a key figure like Michel Barnier could be considered given precedent.

This event is being closely followed by the media, with ARD correspondent Cai Rienäcker reporting on it on the news website Aktuell. The report from Cai Rienäcker is available on the website, describing the potential defeat for Prime Minister Bayrou. The discussion between Boehnisch and Rienäcker, available as a podcast, provides insight into the current political situation in France.

The vote in the National Assembly is expected to result in a failure for Prime Minister Bayrou to secure a majority. If this happens, it will mark the fourth change of prime minister for President Macron in three years. The political situation in France is uncertain due to the opposition's rejection of the government's reforms.

The reforms proposed by the government are substantial, aiming to change working hours, abolish public holidays, and make significant budget cuts. If the opposition's majority in parliament blocks these reforms from being implemented, it could have far-reaching implications for the French government and economy.

Stay tuned for updates on this developing story as the vote in the National Assembly unfolds.