French Prime Minister Francois Bayrou faces his first vote of no confidence in parliament Thursday, with the motion unlikely to pass.

The prospects of French Prime Minister Francois Bayrou's minority government surviving in the long term appeared slimmer after the Socialist Party raised the threat of backing a no-confidence vote on Thursday.

There should be “no totems or taboos” as new prime minister fights to reform pensions — and keep his job.

Green and Communist parties have put forward a no-confidence motion against Bayrou's minority government. The political instability in France, which had four prime ministers last year, has rattled markets.

Ahead of an expected trust vote, French Prime Minister Francois Bayrou has opened negotiations regarding a pension reforms to reach an understanding with left-wing lawmakers