In a historic move, French lawmakers from both the far-right and left-wing factions joined forces Wednesday, triggering a successful no-confidence vote against the Prime Minister and his cabinet. This marks the first successful no-confidence vote in France since 1962, stemming from budget disagreements.
The National Assembly passed the motion with 331 votes, surpassing the required 288.
President Emmanuel Macron affirmed his commitment to serving his full term until 2027 but will need to appoint a new Prime Minister following the vote which has created deep divisions in parliament.
Barnier, the conservative Prime Minister appointed in September, will hold the record for the shortest tenure in France’s modern Republic.
“While my term is nearing its end, it has been an honour to serve France and its people with dignity,” Barnier stated in his final address before the vote.
He also predicted that the no-confidence vote would “make everything more serious and more difficult.”
The decisive vote resulted from strong opposition to the proposed budget.
France’s National Assembly, the lower house of parliament, is highly fragmented, lacking a single majority party. It comprises three main blocs: Macron’s centrist allies, the left-wing New Popular Front coalition, and the far-right National Rally. Both opposition blocs, despite their usual disagreements, united against Barnier, citing austerity measures and a failure to address public concerns.
Speaking before the vote, National Rally leader — whose support was key to Barnier’s initial survival — declared this a pivotal moment, unprecedented since 1962.
Hard-left lawmaker Eric Coquerel cautioned against complacency, highlighting the potential need for an emergency law to enact taxes from January 1st using this year’s regulations. “This special law will prevent a shutdown. It will allow us to get through the end of the year by delaying the budget by a few weeks,” he explained.
Macron faces the task of appointing a new Prime Minister, but the deeply divided parliament remains unchanged. With no new elections possible until at least July, a political impasse looms for policymakers.
Macron dismissed suggestions of his own resignation as “make-believe politics” during a recent visit to Saudi Arabia, according to French media.
Macron reiterated his mandate from the French people, stating, “I’m here because I’ve been elected twice by the French people,” and urged against alarming the public, emphasizing France’s strong economy.
While a U.S.-style government shutdown is unlikely, the political instability poses a risk to financial markets.
France is striving to reduce its substantial debt. This year’s deficit is projected at 6% of GDP, with analysts predicting a potential rise to 7% next year without significant adjustments. The political uncertainty could increase French interest rates, exacerbating the debt problem.
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