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.

The French Socialist Party, whose support Francois Bayrou's minority government has been trying to secure for weeks, raised the threat of backing a no-confidence vote against the government later this week.

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