French face new crisis?

Fears of a new political crisis swept through France yesterday as the minority government of Francois Bayrou appeared likely to be ousted in a crucial confidence vote next month.

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Paris -

France's embattled prime minister stunned the country on Monday, announcing he had asked President Emmanuel Macron to convene an extraordinary session of parliament on 8 September.

Bayrou needs parliamentary backing for his battle against soaring public debt but main opposition parties, from the far-right to the hard-left, said they would not back Bayrou's proposed cuts.

The announcement came as calls mounted to stage protests on 10 September and far-right leader Marine Le Pen said parliament should be dissolved.