The IMF "has been mentioned" in France as the country grapples with political fallout amid soaring public debt, a professor of European politics has told RTÉ's Behind the Story podcast.
Dr Emmanuelle Schon-Quinlivan was speaking on the podcast as French Prime Minister François Bayrou looks set to lose a confidence vote.
France's growing debt is at the heart of the vote that was called to settle a fight over the budget as the country seeks €44 billion in savings. But the plan, which includes reducing the number of public holidays, has proved unpopular.
France's public debt has steadily risen for decades and amounts to 114% of France's annual gross domestic product - almost double the limit of 60% allowed by the EU.
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Dr Schon-Quinlivan told Katie and David that Mr Bayrou started this process himself.
"Basically, Bayrou realised that he was hitting a dead end and he's just organising his exit," she explained.
"He’s not getting on with Emmanuel Macron; Emmanuel Macron gave his blessing for using this article – knowing full well that would help him get rid of this current prime minister.
"Not that it will help solve the future of French political state, but it’s just literally a political suicide that Bayrou has organised".
Katie and David also discuss recent threats made against Tánaiste Simon Harris and his family.
You can listen to Behind the Story which is available on the RTÉ Radio Player.
You can also find episodes on Apple here, or on Spotify here.
