French Political Turmoil: Call for Elections Amid Unrest

France is on the brink of political upheaval as recent opinion polls reveal that a majority of citizens favor the dissolution of parliament for fresh elections. Prime Minister Francois Bayrou's government is teetering, with a looming confidence vote over his budget plans exacerbating the crisis.

Public sentiment reflects significant discontent, with citizens not only supporting a stronger role for the far-right National Rally but also expressing dissatisfaction with President Emmanuel Macron's leadership. While Macron dismisses the idea of a snap election and firmly rules out resignation, the political landscape remains fraught with uncertainty.

Amid this turmoil, Bayrou's effort to navigate ballooning national debt through austerity measures has hit a roadblock. His proposal to slash the budget and curb public spending faces resistance from opposition parties, who have different strategies for addressing France's economic challenges.

(With inputs from agencies.)