France, Feb. 6 -- France's government survived a no-confidence vote on Wednesday allowing the 2025 budget to make its way through parliament.

Prime Minister Francois Bayrou conceded MPs had adopted an imperfect budget but added: "It is an urgent step because our country cannot live without a budget."

No-confidence motion

Bayrou's administration, whichhas no overall majority in the 578-seat Assemblee Nationale, used the 49.3 constitutional power to ram the budget bill through the chamber without a vote by lawmakers.

The move triggered the no-confidence motion.

Only 128 lawmakers approved the motion, far from the 289 votes needed for it to pass.

Both the Socialists and far-right National Rally lawmakers refused to support it.

Under F...