A vote of no-confidence is scheduled to take place in the French National Assembly at 19:00 (18:00 GMT) against Prime Minister Michel Barnier’s government. If, as anticipated, the vote succeeds, Barnier’s government will collapse. Barnier, the former EU Brexit negotiator, was appointed by President Emmanuel Macron just three months ago. While Macron, currently on a state visit to Saudi Arabia, has expressed belief that the Barnier government can survive, opposition parties, including the left-wing New Popular Front (NFP) and Marine Le Pen’s far-right National Rally (RN), have already pledged to vote against him, making his position untenable.
The no-confidence vote follows Barnier’s decision on Monday to use special powers to pass the 2025 budget without parliamentary support. This move angered both the NFP and RN, leading them to introduce no-confidence motions. Barnier’s government has been fragile from the start, with a polarized National Assembly resulting from inconclusive snap elections. Barnier, unable to secure enough support from either the NFP or RN, had no choice but to push the budget through using special powers.
In a final effort, Barnier made a televised plea for MPs to prioritize the national interest over party politics, but the vote is expected to pass. If this happens, it will mark the first time since 1962 that a French government falls due to a no-confidence vote. Barnier may remain as a caretaker prime minister while Macron searches for a new candidate, a process that could take weeks. New elections are not possible under the French constitution until next year. Macron, however, has made it clear that he intends to fulfill his presidential term until 2027, despite increasing calls for his resignation.
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