French Government Teeters on Brink as No-Confidence Vote Looms

French Prime Minister Michel Barnier’s government faces collapse after he invoked Article 49.3 of the constitution to push through a controversial budget without parliamentary approval. The €60 billion bill, aimed at curbing France’s growing deficit with tax hikes and spending cuts, sparked fierce opposition from both left- and right-wing parties. Left-wing alliance France Unbowed (LFI) and Marine Le Pen’s far-right National Rally (RN) have tabled no-confidence motions, with a decisive vote expected on Wednesday.

Barnier, a former Brexit negotiator appointed by President Macron to stabilize the government after summer’s hung parliament, defended his use of executive powers, stating, “I have assumed my responsibility.” Despite making concessions like scrapping an electricity tax hike, his efforts failed to appease critics. LFI leader Mathilde Panot called the move a “political chaos” borne of both Barnier’s administration and Macron’s leadership, while Le Pen declared that “the French have had enough.”

If the government is ousted, Barnier would remain as caretaker until Macron forms a new administration or calls for new elections. The turmoil threatens months of political instability, with the fractured parliament making the formation of a stable government challenging. Some parties have also called for early presidential elections, though Macron’s term is set to run until 2027.

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