France’s government survived a no-confidence vote Wednesday in parliament, and the state budget for 2025 is finally adopted. Prime Minister François Bayrou had used special constitutional powers to get the budget bill approved without a vote by lawmakers,

French Prime Minister François Bayrou avoided the collapse of his government in a no-confidence motion prompted by the 2025 budget bill. But experts maintain the delicate tightrope he must walk means his power is limited.

Only 128 lawmakers approved the motion, far from the 289 votes — or half the National Assembly seats — needed for it to pass. Both the Socialists and far-right National Rally lawmakers refused to support it.