French government COLLAPSES after dramatic no-confidence vote in latest crippling embarrassment for hated leader Macron
Following a historic vote of no-confidence against Prime Minister Michel Barnier in the National Assembly, the French government has fallen.
It is the first time in more than 60 years that a vote of no-confidence has overthrown a French government.
Together, the far right and left had more than enough MPs to carry the resolution, which needed at least 288 of 574 votes.
The vote resulted from strong opposition to his proposed 2025 budget from opposition groups like Marine Le Pen’s far-right National Rally (RN) and the left-wing alliance New Popular Front (NFP).
They were incensed when Barnier chose to use his extraordinary authority to ram through his budget despite the fact that MPs did not approve it.
It is a major setback for President Emmanuel Macron, who is now expected to choose a new prime minister quickly, perhaps even ahead of the weekend’s spectacular reopening of Paris’s Notre Dame Cathedral.
By doing this, the European Union is spared a rift at a time when Germany is likewise weak and preparing for an election.
And with just a few weeks until US President-elect Donald Trump returns to the White House, the timing is still very important.
In order to have laws, notably the budget for 2025, approved by a divided parliament, the incoming prime minister must overcome the same obstacles as Barnier.
Before July, no new parliamentary elections are permitted.
Marine Le Pen, the leader of the far-right National Rally, warned parliament before the French government fell that “we have arrived at the moment of truth.”
Additionally, France is hard-left. Barnier was informed by a bowed legislator, Eric Coquerel, that “you will be the first prime minister to be censured since Georges Pompidou in 1962.”
He said that Barnier, who was nominated by President Emmanuel Macron in September, had no legitimacy in the first place and that the majority of French people supported the motion of no confidence.
Barnier said he still thought his administration could win the vote in a Tuesday TV interview.
Jordan Bardella, the leader of the far-right National Rally (RN), criticized his optimism, claiming it demonstrated that the administration was “wholly out of touch with what is happening in the country.”
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“This government is dangerous for my country,” he said on France Inter radio.
“We will vote for the no-confidence motion.”
Senior members of the left-wing legislature also affirmed that they would vote to remove Barnier.
Bruno Retailleau, Barnier’s interior minister, seemed pessimistic.
He stated to CNews: “Nothing’s over until the vote but we can see we’re headed towards censure (of the government).”
The problem was sparked by Macron, who called for a snap parliamentary election in June after winning a second term in 2022.
The RN and the radical left have already been calling for his resignation as he faces his largest crisis since the Yellow Vest public upheaval of 2018-2019, but he cannot be forced out by parliament because his term as president ends in mid-2027.
France’s CAC 40 is the biggest loser among the leading EU economies, having fallen by about 10% since Macron called the election.
The value of the single currency has decreased by almost 4%.
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RN MP Laure Lavalette told TF1 TV: “There is no reason for this to lead to major chaos,” despite Barnier’s claim that voting him out would have disastrous financial effects for the state.
“Don’t play with fears … it’s not all going to crumble.”
What happens if the no-confidence vote succeeds & the government falls?
It seems improbable that Michel Barnier, the prime minister, will be fired right away if the no-confidence vote is successful.
He will probably continue to serve as a caretaker leader until Macron names a new prime minister and a new government.
Since none of the parties are close to the necessary 289, it is unlikely that any new administration will have a majority.
Rather, a technocratic government would be established, with the new prime minister having minimal real authority until the next round of elections in the summer of 2025.
Following the French summer elections, which compelled him to form an alliance with the political right, Macron was already in a precarious position.
Gabriel Attal, his last prime minister, led a caretaker administration as well and frequently had to enact laws using a constitutional mechanism.
Macron’s credibility as president was badly damaged throughout this turbulent time.
He will appear to be even less successful as president if the vote is successful and he is obliged to name yet another acting prime minister, which could further damage his popularity.
If he can hold on, Macron will stay in his position until 2027, when the next presidential elections are scheduled.
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