Militarisation and austerity combined with poor economic conditions are producing a
political crisis, which we must replicate here in the UK, argues Chris Bambery

The French prime minister, François Bayrou, is facing defeat on his attempts to push
through an austerity budget. On Tuesday, the Socialist Party added its commitment
to vote it down when a vote of confidence in the government takes place on 8
September.
The Socialists joined the Greens and the radical-left La France Insoumise (France in
Revolt, LFI) in pledging to vote in favour of no confidence. LFI leader Jean-Luc
Mélenchon wants to go further urging a nationwide uprising against President
Emmanuel Macron’s ‘rich man’s government’, calling on supporters to shut the
country down unless the austerity measures are scrapped.
Mélenchon is insisting on a parliamentary vote of impeachment against Macron:
‘One year ago, we submitted a motion to demand Emmanuel Macron’s
impeachment. We will do it again on 23 September. Alongside a motion of no-
confidence – which may no longer be necessary if the government has already fallen
– we will introduce an impeachment motion.’
Here in Britain The Spectator’s Paris correspondent concluded: ‘Mélenchon,
meanwhile, is actively pushing for Bayrou’s downfall. LFI has seized control of the
anti-austerity message and united Socialists, Greens and hard-left radicals behind
him. For Mélenchon, an early election offers the chance to turn street anger into
parliamentary power.’ Praise indeed from this pro-Tory magazine.
To survive, Bayrou needs 289 votes. His centre right, neoliberal alliance would be
lucky to mobilise 165 votes. He was hoping for the support of Marine Le Pen’s far-
right National Rally but they have said that is not going to happen, though it’s likely
they will abstain rather than vote Bayrou down.
Macron has warned the French people that the ‘years of abundance are over’. He
wants to increase the retirement age from 62 (yes read that again: currently five
years less than Britain). This is an explosive issue. When he attempted this before, it
was met with a wave of strikes and protests.
Bayrou wants more austerity measures, including abolishing two public holidays. On
Wednesday a poll found that 63% of French people want the country’s parliament to
be dissolved and for new elections to be held.
Macron, like Starmer in Britain and Friedrich Merz in Germany are promising more
weapons for Ukraine, bought by them from the USA and handed over free to Kyiv,
requiring major increases in military spending. This warmongering largesse contrasts
with their domestic austerity measures.

The rate of increase of French debt to GDP ratio shows that from 113% last year it is
on course to hit more than 120% by the end of this decade. Italy’s debt to GDP ratio
stands at 135%, even higher than France, although it is falling by around 3%
annually. The UK’s annual debt interest bill is higher than France. The British
treasury currently pays 4.7% interest on ten-year bonds, France pays 3.5%.
The German economy shrank by 0.3% quarter-on-quarter from April to June,
according to figures released by the Federal Statistical Office earlier this month.
That’s worse than the initial estimate of -0.1%.
Its industrial sector has performed badly, with exports falling. The German
government tried to blame this on US tariffs, but the truth is there is a long-term
problem. German car exports are in long-term decline because they have slipped
behind their rivals technologically after companies like Volkswagen failed to invest in
electric cars.
Under pressure from Washington after the Russian invasion of Ukraine, Germany
stopped buying Russian gas and oil, driving up energy costs, and cut back on
exports to China.
Germany, France and Italy, together with the UK, are seeing no growth or minute
increases. This is a long-term problem, not something new.
Here in Britain, we need to follow the example of Mélenchon and the LFI. That
means building Your Party into not just an electoral party but a motor force in the
fight against austerity and against increased military spending, as well as opposing
genocide in Gaza. A hot autumn in France gives us the chance to drive home the
message that we should follow the example of French working people.