Paris- France is heading toward fresh political turmoil as Prime Minister François Bayrou is expected to lose a no-confidence vote next month over his unpopular austerity budget and debt-reduction plan.

Bayrou, 74, a close ally of President Emmanuel Macron, admitted he would “fight like a dog” to stay in power but opposition parties from both the far right and left are determined to remove him after less than nine months in office.

The vote, set for 8 September, has already rattled markets, with French bank shares falling and borrowing costs rising. Protests and strikes against planned budget cuts are also scheduled to begin on 10 September.

Bayrou’s proposal to slash €44 billion from public spending, including freezing welfare and scrapping public holidays, has been widely criticized as unfair. Polls show his approval at historic lows, with 80% of French voters saying they do not trust him.

If Bayrou is ousted, Macron will be forced to appoint a new prime minister, but political divisions suggest any successor could face the same fate.