Newsroom
France is facing a deep political crisis after Prime Minister Michel Barnier’s government was ousted by a no-confidence vote, just three months into his term. This marks the shortest-lived administration in France’s Fifth Republic, which began in 1958.
The no-confidence motion was spearheaded by a left-wing coalition and supported by Marine Le Pen’s far-right National Rally party. It passed with 331 votes, a clear majority, leaving Barnier with no choice but to resign. This is the first successful no-confidence vote in France since 1962, during Charles de Gaulle’s presidency.
President Emmanuel Macron now faces his most significant political challenge. While his presidency continues until 2027, Macron’s options are limited, as no parliamentary elections can be held before July 2025. France's National Assembly remains fractured among three major groups: the left-wing alliance, Macron’s centrist bloc, and the far-right National Rally.
Michel Barnier, a former EU Brexit negotiator, was appointed prime minister in September to break a months-long political deadlock. His main challenge was passing the 2025 budget, which included €60 billion in tax hikes and spending cuts to tackle France’s growing deficit.
However, Barnier’s decision to bypass parliamentary approval for a key social security bill using Article 49.3 of the constitution sparked outrage. This led to simultaneous no-confidence motions from both the left-wing coalition and Le Pen’s party.
Although Barnier’s coalition leaned on far-right support to stay afloat, tensions grew. Le Pen ultimately denounced the budget, claiming it was harmful to French households and lacked a clear vision for the country. Her party argued that a budget impasse would be better for citizens than Barnier’s proposed cuts and tax increases.
The collapse of Barnier’s government creates uncertainty over the 2025 budget. If no agreement is reached by December 20, emergency measures could roll over the 2024 budget temporarily. This would delay planned savings and adjustments for inflation, potentially increasing tax burdens for households.
Financial markets are already jittery, and Barnier warned of “turbulent conditions” ahead. However, opposition figures like Jean-Luc Mélenchon and others from the left downplayed these concerns, calling the no-confidence vote a sign of hope and public dissatisfaction with the current leadership.
Macron, who has ruled out resigning, will address the nation in a televised speech on Thursday evening. Meanwhile, opposition parties are demanding clarity. Socialist Party leader Olivier Faure has called for a left-wing prime minister, accusing Macron of leaving France in “uncertainty just before Christmas.”
The political deadlock highlights the deep divisions within France’s parliament and raises questions about how the country can navigate its economic challenges amid political instability.
Source: The Guardian
