French Government Collapses After No-Confidence Vote Against Prime Minister Barnier

The French government has collapsed after Prime Minister Michel Barnier was removed in a no-confidence vote, just three months into his tenure under President Emmanuel Macron.

The motion against Barnier, backed by opposition parties, was triggered by his controversial use of special powers to pass his budget without a parliamentary vote. This marks the first time since 1962 that France’s government has fallen following a no-confidence vote.

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The vote, which required 288 in favor to pass, saw 331 MPs support the motion, deepening political instability in France. The country remains without a clear parliamentary majority after summer elections. Barnier is now expected to present his resignation, and the budget that sparked his downfall will be nullified. However, he may remain as a caretaker prime minister until Macron appoints a successor.

Barnier’s reforms, including a €60bn deficit reduction plan, were pushed through by decree after he failed to gain parliamentary support. Opposition from both the left-wing New Popular Front (NFP) and the far-right National Rally (RN) led to the no-confidence vote. NFP had already opposed Macron’s decision to appoint Barnier over their own candidate, while RN leader Marine Le Pen criticized the budget as harmful to the French people.

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Ahead of the vote, Barnier defended his budget, acknowledging its challenges but stressing the need to address France’s financial realities. Le Pen, in an interview, called for Barnier’s removal, but stopped short of demanding Macron’s resignation.

President Macron, who recently returned from a visit to Saudi Arabia, is set to address the nation on Thursday evening. He has vowed not to resign, despite the vote’s outcome, and is expected to appoint a new prime minister quickly. The current political deadlock will persist until new parliamentary elections, which cannot take place before July.

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