French PM Bayrou survives no-confidence vote thanks to far right

Bayrou survived a no-confidence vote on Wednesday night after the National Rally decided against toppling the government over its budget. 

Only 128 lawmakers voted in favor of the measure, far below the 289 threshold it needed to pass.

Speaking on behalf of the National Rally before the vote, lawmaker Yoann Gillet slammed the censure as a “masquerade” and said it made little mathematical sense for his party to back the measure, as it appeared to lack the support needed to get the green light even with the far right’s votes.

 Gillet made it clear, however, that his party did not support Bayrou’s spending plans, calling them a “racket organized on the backs of those who work and produce in our country.”