Closing summary
… and on that note, it’s a wrap!
The French prime minister, François Bayrou, has handed in his resignation after losing a confidence vote that has plunged France into government collapse and political crisis.
His successor will be named by president Emmanuel Macron “in the coming days,” according to the Élysée Palace as protesters prepare for a day of action on Wednesday under the slogan “Block Everything.”
Elsewhere,
Poland will close its border with Belarus on Thursday as a result of the “very aggressive” Russian and Belarusian military exercises taking place in Belarus from Friday, prime minister Donald Tusk said (13:44).
Separately, Poland’s president Karol Nawrocki warned earlier today that Russian president Vladimir Putin could invade other countries following his decision to attack Ukraine (14:06).
Lithuania has also said it will strengthen its borders with Belarus and Russia during the exercise, the country’s border guard said today (14:16).
More than 20 people were killed in an overnight Russian attack on Yarova in the Donetsk region, Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskyy has just said in a social media post (11:33).
And that’s all from me, Jakub Krupa, for today.
If you have any tips, comments or suggestions, email me at [email protected].
I am also on Bluesky at @jakubkrupa.bsky.social and on X at @jakubkrupa.
France to get third PM in a year as Bayrou resigns after confidence vote
in Paris
The French prime minister, François Bayrou, has handed in his resignation after losing a confidence vote that has plunged France into government collapse and political crisis.
Emmanuel Macron has said he will appoint a new prime minister in the coming days, who would then have to form a new government. This will be the third French prime minister in a year, whose first task will be the major challenge of agreeing a budget among a divided parliament.
About 11,000 protesters gathered in front of town halls across France on Monday night to celebrate Bayrou’s ousting with what they called “Bye bye Bayrou” farewell drinks.
Many of those present used the gatherings as an opportunity to plan for a day of action on Wednesday, which has been given the name: “Block Everything”. About 80,000 police will be mobilised for the protests, which could feature roadblocks and blockades of fuel depots.
