French Government on Brink of Collapse as Far-Right and Left Parties Unite to Table No-Confidence Motion
Government on the Edge
The French government is on the verge of collapse after far-right and left-wing parties announced they will vote for a no-confidence motion against Prime Minister Michel Barnier. The move came after Barnier’s attempts to push a social security bill through parliament without a vote failed to win support from the far-right National Rally (RN).
No-Confidence Motion
RN leader Marine Le Pen said her party would table its own no-confidence motion, but would also vote for any similar bill tabled by other parties. "The French have had enough," she said. "Maybe they thought with Michel Barnier things would get better, but they were even worse."
Left-Wing Opposition
Mathilde Panot, of the hard-left France Unbowed, added, "Faced with this umpteenth denial of democracy, we will censure the government… We are living in political chaos because of Michel Barnier’s government and Emmanuel Macron’s presidency."
Government’s Struggle
Barnier’s struggles to pass the 2025 budget through a deeply divided parliament have threatened to plunge France into its second political crisis in six months, highlighting the instability that has taken hold in countries across the European Union.
Government’s Plea
Barnier urged lawmakers not to back the no-confidence vote, saying, "We are at a moment of truth. The French will not forgive us for putting the interests of individuals before the future of the country."
Background
Since its formation in September, Barnier’s minority government has relied on RN support for its survival. The budget bill, which aims to rein in France’s spiraling public deficit through €60 billion (US$63 billion) in tax hikes and spending cuts, may snap that tenuous link.
Conclusion
The fate of the French government hangs in the balance as lawmakers prepare to vote on the no-confidence motion. The outcome is far from certain, but one thing is clear: the French people are demanding change.
FAQs
Q: What is the background to this crisis?
A: The French government has been relying on support from the far-right National Rally (RN) to survive, but the latest budget bill has failed to win their backing.
Q: What is the proposed budget bill?
A: The bill aims to rein in France’s spiraling public deficit through €60 billion (US$63 billion) in tax hikes and spending cuts.
Q: What is the likelihood of the government surviving the no-confidence vote?
A: The outcome is uncertain, but if all RN lawmakers vote with the left to topple Barnier, the government will not survive.