Mr Bayrou meanwhile accused the hard left of trying to take France down the path of “infighting”. Read more at ...

The decision of the Socialists means that Bayrou is safe for now, but remains in a precarious position with budget talks set ...

France's centre-left Socialist party will not back a no-confidence vote against Prime Minister Francois Bayrou on Thursday, ...

In France, the Socialist deputies, gathered shortly before the start of the debate in the National Assembly, decided not to vote on the motion of no confidence in the Bayrou government.