France’s debt crisis has become the latest test of a fragile political system. Prime Minister François Bayrou is forcing a confidence vote that could bring down his government, echoing the turbulence that has dogged French politics since last year’s elections.

PARIS (Reuters) -French Finance Minister Eric Lombard suggested on Tuesday there was a risk the IMF would have to intervene in the economy if Prime Minister Francois Bayrou's minority government falls next month.

France's minority government looked increasingly likely to be ousted next month after three main opposition parties said they would not back a confidence vote which Prime Minister Francois Bayrou announced for September 8 over his plans for sweeping budget cuts.

France found itself mired in yet another crisis on Tuesday, after Prime Minister Francois Bayrou's gamble to win backing for his deeply unpopular debt-reduction plan backfired, plunging the country deeper into political and financial instability.

Prime Minister Francois Bayrou's minority government has opted to roll the dice with a confidence vote in a bid to get an unpopular budget through parliamant.