The French government is teetering on the brink of collapse as both far-right and left-wing parties have submitted no-confidence motions against Prime Minister Michel Barnier’s administration. The motions, set to be voted on later this week, could spell the end of Barnier’s fragile coalition, marking the first time since 1962 that a French government has been toppled by such a vote.
Marine Le Pen, leader of the National Rally (RN), announced her party’s decision to push for the no-confidence motion. “The French have had enough,” Le Pen declared to reporters in parliament. “We are proposing a motion of no confidence against the government.” She further confirmed that RN lawmakers would support the left-wing coalition’s no-confidence bill in addition to their own.
Left-wing party France Unbowed echoed these sentiments. Mathilde Panot stated, “Faced with this umpteenth denial of democracy, we will censure the government. We are living in political chaos because of Michel Barnier’s government and Emmanuel Macron’s presidency.”
Barnier, who assumed office in early September, has urged lawmakers not to back the no-confidence vote. “We are at a moment of truth. The French will not forgive us for putting the interests of individuals before the future of the country,” he implored. His government’s fate now lies in the hands of a divided parliament resulting from an inconclusive snap election called by President Emmanuel Macron in June.
At the heart of the dispute is a controversial social security bill aimed at reducing France’s soaring public deficit through 60 billion euros (63 billion USD) in tax hikes and spending cuts. Barnier attempted to push the bill through parliament without a vote, a move that inflamed opposition parties. The prime minister’s coalition had relied on support from RN for survival, but the budget bill snapped that tenuous link.
Both Barnier’s camp and Le Pen’s entourage have blamed each other for the impasse, each claiming to have been open to dialogue. A source close to Barnier remarked, “Is she ready to sacrifice all the wins she got?” referencing concessions made to RN.
A government collapse at this juncture would have significant implications for Europe, especially with Germany also in election mode. It comes just weeks ahead of U.S. President-elect Donald Trump re-entering the White House, adding to global political uncertainty.
If the no-confidence vote succeeds, Barnier will be compelled to tender his resignation. However, President Macron may ask him to remain in a caretaker capacity while a new prime minister is sought—a process that could extend into next year. Options include appointing a technocratic government with no political program in hopes of surviving a confidence vote, but no new parliamentary elections can be held before July.
The budget’s fate remains uncertain. Should parliament fail to adopt it by December 20, the caretaker government might invoke constitutional powers to pass it by ordinance, though legal ambiguities and potential opposition uproar make this option risky. Alternatively, emergency legislation could maintain current spending limits and tax provisions, but this would abandon the savings measures Barnier had proposed.
As France stands at this critical crossroads, the coming days will determine the direction of not only the nation’s governance but also its role in the broader European landscape.
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French government faces collapse as no-confidence motions submitted
cgtn.com
