The French government, led by Prime Minister Michel Barnier, collapsed on Wednesday after the National Assembly passed a no-confidence motion against it, plunging the country into political turmoil. This marks the first time in over six decades that a French government has been ousted through such a vote, making Barnier the shortest-serving prime minister in the nation’s history at just three months.
The motion, supported by 331 lawmakers, surpassed the required 288 votes needed to pass. Opposition parties, including the hard-left France Unbowed (LFI) and Marine Le Pen’s far-right National Rally (RN), united against Barnier following his controversial use of special powers to bypass parliamentary approval for a £49 billion deficit-reduction budget.
Barnier, appointed by President Emmanuel Macron after snap elections earlier this year failed to produce a parliamentary majority, will continue as a caretaker prime minister until a successor is named.
In an address to lawmakers before the vote, Barnier defended his administration’s actions, warning that ousting the government would deepen France’s political and economic crises. “I consider it an honor to have served the French people, and I will carry this honor even as my mission comes to an end,” he stated.
The turmoil stems from snap elections called by President Macron to halt the rise of far-right influence. However, the results left no faction with a majority, forcing Macron to choose Barnier—a compromise candidate. The Barnier administration’s reliance on contentious decrees, including one to pass the disputed budget, provoked widespread criticism and calls for his resignation.
RN leader Marine Le Pen labeled the budget “unacceptable,” while LFI’s Mathilde Panot called on Macron himself to step down to resolve the impasse. Macron, rejecting such demands, reaffirmed his commitment to his term, stating, “I was elected twice by the French people, and I will honor this trust until the very last second.”
The government’s collapse leaves France without a stable administration or a 2025 budget just weeks before U.S. President-elect Donald Trump takes office. The instability risks undermining France’s leadership in the European Union, already weakened by Germany’s coalition breakdown, and could impact French support for Ukraine amid the ongoing conflict.
President Macron, who returned from a state visit to Saudi Arabia to manage the crisis, is now tasked with navigating a fractured parliament to find a viable successor. His decision will be critical in addressing the financial and political challenges facing France as the year ends in uncertainty.
