France’s government survived a no-confidence vote Wednesday in parliament, and the state budget for 2025 is finally adopted. Prime Minister François Bayrou had used special constitutional powers to get the budget bill approved without a vote by lawmakers,

French Prime Minister Francois Bayrou on Wednesday survived two no-confidence votes in parliament, paving the way for the adoption of a much-delayed 2025 budget seen as key to cutting France's crippling debts.

Only 128 lawmakers approved the motion, far from the 289 votes — or half the National Assembly seats — needed for it to pass. Both the Socialists and far-right National Rally lawmakers refused to support it.