Macron backs Bayrou and calls on budget critics to show responsibility

Spokesperson says government in fighting spirit' after PM called confidence vote he is expected to lose

Emmanuel Macron has given his full support" to France's beleaguered prime minister, Francois Bayrou, who is expected to lose a confidence vote next month, which would be likely to cause the government to collapse.

Macron chaired a cabinet meeting on Wednesday as France faces a fresh political crisis. The government spokesperson, Sophie Primas, said after the meeting that Macron fully supported Bayrou and the government was in a fighting spirit".