In a dramatic turn of events, French lawmakers passed a no-confidence vote against the government on Wednesday, plunging the European Union’s second-largest economy deeper into political turmoil. The motion, backed by a coalition of far-right and left-wing lawmakers, secured a majority with 331 votes, effectively ending Prime Minister Michel Barnier’s tenure after just three months—the shortest in France’s Fifth Republic since 1958.
Prime Minister Barnier is now expected to tender his resignation to President Emmanuel Macron on Thursday morning, according to French media reports. The government faced backlash for utilizing special constitutional powers to adopt parts of an unpopular budget without a final parliamentary vote. The proposed budget aimed to save 60 billion euros ($63.07 billion) in an effort to reduce a significant deficit.
“This deficit reality will not disappear by the magic of a motion of censure,” Barnier told lawmakers ahead of the vote, warning that the budget challenges would persist regardless of the government’s composition.
The last time a French government lost a confidence vote was in 1962 under Georges Pompidou. The current crisis was precipitated by a snap election in June, called by President Macron, which resulted in a polarized parliament lacking a clear majority.
With the government in disarray, France risks ending the year without a stable administration or an approved 2025 budget. However, constitutional provisions may prevent a complete government shutdown akin to those seen in the United States.
The political upheaval in France adds to the European Union’s challenges, already strained by the collapse of Germany’s coalition government and the impending return of U.S. President-elect Donald Trump to the White House. The instability could have far-reaching implications, including on France’s support for Ukraine, as cautioned by outgoing Defense Minister Sebastien Lecornu.
Opposition parties seized the moment to advance their agendas. The hard-left France Unbowed (LFI) party demanded President Macron’s resignation, while far-right leader Marine Le Pen celebrated Barnier’s downfall. “I’m not pushing for Macron’s resignation,” she said. “The pressure on the president will get greater and greater. Only he will make that decision.”
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French government felled in no-confidence vote, deepening crisis
cgtn.com
