EVERGREEN: French government collapses.

The French government has collapsed after prime minister François Bayrou lost a confidence vote in the National Assembly.

MPs overwhelmingly backed the motion to remove Mr Bayrou, voting 364-194 – a 170 majority.

Mr Bayrou is expected to resign on Tuesday, leaving Emmanuel Macron to search for a replacement or call snap elections.

The French prime minister called the vote of confidence in an attempt to force MPs to adopt his austerity budget.

During an impassioned speech to MPs, he warned: “You can get rid of the government, but you can’t get rid of reality.”

Though the French have certainly been giving the latter a try since 1789.