French Prime Minister Michel Barnier’s administration has been ousted after losing a pivotal confidence vote in the National Assembly, deepening the country’s political crisis and raising alarm over next year’s budget planning.
A total of 331 lawmakers in the 577-seat lower house voted against Barnier’s centrist minority government on Wednesday. The no-confidence vote was spearheaded by far-left and far-right opposition parties following Barnier’s controversial use of special powers to bypass parliamentary approval for key budget measures, a decision widely criticized as undermining democracy.
This marks the first time in over six decades that a French government has been removed through a confidence vote. Barnier is now expected to formally resign, along with his government, in a submission to President Emmanuel Macron, according to National Assembly Speaker Yael Braun-Pivet.
Far-right leader Marine Le Pen stated the situation would heighten pressure on Macron, though she refrained from calling for his resignation, highlighting the uncertainty surrounding France’s political future.
The loss of confidence has cast doubt on France’s ability to tackle its mounting fiscal challenges and has intensified scrutiny of President Macron’s leadership, further complicating the nation’s governance.
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