French Govt falls after Barnier Govt ousted amid no-confidence vote

For the first time since 1962, the French government has collapsed following a dramatic no-confidence motion that ousted Prime Minister Michel Barnier. Opposition lawmakers backed the motion with 331 votes, ending President Emmanuel Macron’s government and throwing France into a political crisis.

The motion, which highlighted widespread opposition to Barnier’s unpopular economic policies, marks a turning point in Macron’s presidency. It comes in the wake of a polarised parliamentary election held in June, which left the government struggling to pass key legislation, including the 2025 budget.

Barnier’s government had recently invoked constitutional powers to push through parts of the budget that aimed to cut the deficit by €60 billion. However, this sparked backlash across the political spectrum, with far-right leader Marine Le Pen describing the budget as “dangerous, unfair, and punitive.”

France now faces a challenging political landscape. With parliamentary elections not due until July 2025, Macron must urgently appoint a new prime minister to restore stability. Reports suggest Macron aims to make a quick decision before Saturday’s Notre-Dame Cathedral reopening, which US President-elect Donald Trump is set to attend.

Economic uncertainty looms large as investors grow uneasy. Earlier this week, French borrowing costs briefly surpassed those of Greece, highlighting growing concerns about the country’s financial health. Analysts warn that without a functioning government, legislative gridlock could further damage France’s economy.

Macron could either retain Barnier’s ministers in a caretaker role or appoint a prime minister who can gain cross-party support. While emergency measures to extend the 2024 budget are legally possible, such moves are fraught with political risks.