French PM: Examining budget referendum plan

French Prime Minister Francois Bayrou stated on Saturday that he was thinking of calling for a national vote on the country’s budget because of worries that significant cost-cutting measures would spark large-scale demonstrations.

In my opinion, the topic is so important and has such significant implications for the nation’s future that it need to be addressed directly to our people. Therefore, I am not ruling out any options,” Bayrou stated in an interview that was published on Saturday by the Journal du Dimanche publication.

The French government is attempting to strike a compromise between reducing the nation’s debt load and preventing trade unions and employees in the public sector from becoming enraged.

As per the French constitution, the president has the authority to call for a referendum following a cabinet proposal.

“The government makes the proposal, and the president makes the final decision. A subject of great importance is before us, one that requires consideration by all citizens and is not only for technocrats and professionals,” Bayrou continued.

Macron said he will ask the French to decide on “decisive” topics, but he did not specify which ones, in his customary New Year’s Eve speech on December 31 of last year, paving the way for the use of referendums this year.

An attempt to reach Macron’s Elysee office for comment on Bayrou’s interview was not immediately answered.

The French opposition parties have already vowed to use a no-confidence resolution to topple Bayrou’s government after his finance minister stated that billions of euros would need to be saved for the budget for the next year.

Bayrou is eager to avoid following in Michel Barnier’s footsteps, who was overthrown due to popular discontent with his budget’s cost-cutting measures, ending his brief stint as prime minister.