France's far-right National Rally (RN) urged President Emmanuel Macron on Tuesday (September 2) to swiftly dissolve parliament and call snap elections, adding they were firm in deciding to vote against Prime Minister Francois Bayrou in a confidence vote next week.

The RN and other opposition parties have said they will bring down the minority government in the September 8 vote, which Bayrou unexpectedly announced last week as he seeks to push through unpopular plans for a budget squeeze in 2026

Marine Le Pen, RN's leader in France's national assembly, said they wanted an "ultra-quick dissolution" of parliament and fresh elections, so that a new 2026 budget could be developed.

The parties that have said they will vote against Bayrou - including the RN and Socialists - together have enough votes to trigger the fall of the government.

If Bayrou does indeed lose next week's vote, President Emmanuel Macron can appoint a new prime minister immediately, ask Bayrou to stay on in a caretaker capacity for some time, or decide to call snap parliamentary elections.

DESCRIPCIÓN DE IMÁGENES

PARIS, FRANCE (SEPTEMBER 2, 2025) (AGENCY POOL - Access all)

1. PRESIDENT OF FAR RIGHT 'NATIONAL RALLY' (RN), JORDAN BARDELLA, AND LEADER OF RN GROUP IN FRANCE'S NATIONAL ASSEMBLY, MARINE LE PEN, ARRIVING AT PRIME MINISTER'S OFFICE TO HOLD TALKS WITH FRENCH PM, FRANCOIS BAYROU / BARDELLA AND LE PEN STANDING ON STEPS AND GOING INSIDE

2. DOOR OF BUILDING

3. BARDELLA AND LE PEN LEAVING BUILDING TO GIVE STATEMENTS TO MEDIA

4. (SOUNDBITE) (French) PRESIDENT OF FAR RIGHT 'NATIONAL RALLY' (RN), JORDAN BARDELLA, SAYING:

"A miracle did not take place and clearly this meeting will do nothing to change National Rally's mind - even if, again, there is respect for the position of the prime minister."

5. WINDOW OF MATIGNON BUILDING

6. (SOUNDBITE) (French) LEADER OF RN GROUP IN FRANCE'S NATIONAL ASSEMBLY, MARINE LE PEN, SAYING:

"Starting from a point of 'do you have confidence or not in the government', for us the answer is simple, we do not have confidence."

7. GLASS PANES OF DOOR

8. (SOUNDBITE) (French) LEADER OF RN GROUP IN FRANCE'S NATIONAL ASSEMBLY, MARINE LE PEN, SAYING:

"We, Jordan and myself, are calling for an ultra-quick dissolution (of the French national assembly). Because the reality is that the new majority which comes about from these new elections can develop a budget, for our country to have a budget. This is in reality the only solution which can be democratic."

9. GLASS PANES OF DOOR

10. BARDELLA AND LE PEN LEAVING

11. BARDELLA GETTING INTO CAR

PARIS, FRANCE (SEPTEMBER 1, 2025) (REUTERS - Access all)

12. FACADE OF NATIONAL ASSEMBLY

13. TEXT READING (French): "NATIONAL ASSEMBLY"

14. FRENCH FLAG FLYING

15. VANS LEAVING COURTYARD

16. CONSTRUCTION EQUIPMENT OUTSIDE NATIONAL ASSEMBLY

17. ENGRAVING OVER DOOR