France, Aug. 25 -- France's embattled Prime Minister Francois Bayrou said Monday his government would request a vote of confidence on 8 September, seeking parliamentary backing for his fight against soaring public debt.

With his announcement, Bayrou is seeking a vote on his government's fate before the opposition calls a no-confidence vote.

Bayrou said on Monday the National Assembly would be asked to "confirm the scale" of spending reductions, as the government seeks to save around €44 billion a year.

"I have asked the president, who has agreed, to convene an extraordinary session of parliament on Monday, September 8," Bayrou told reporters.

Bayrou does not have a majority in parliament's lower house, the National Assembly, and...