French Prime Minister Francois Bayrou faces a crucial confidence vote in parliament today. His proposed €44 billion (ca. $52 billion) spending cuts aim to tackle France’s soaring deficit and debt — now at 5.8% and 114% of GDP respectively. Bayrou warns that rejecting his plan risks destabilizing the country’s finances. But opposition parties from both left and right say the cuts unfairly target ordinary citizens and have vowed to vote him out, which will likely trigger the appointment of a new prime minister.