French Government Ousted in Historic Vote
PARIS: French lawmakers on Wednesday voted to oust the government of Prime Minister Michel Barnier after just three months in office, a historic move which hurled the country further into political uncertainty.
The Vote
For the first time in over sixty years, the national assembly lower house toppled the incumbent government, approving a no-confidence motion that had been proposed by the hard left but which crucially was backed by the far-right headed by Marine Le Pen. A majority of 331 MPs in the 577-member chamber voted to oust the government.
Background
Barnier’s rapid ejection from office comes after snap parliamentary elections this summer which resulted in a hung parliament with no party having an overall majority and the far-right holding the key to the government’s survival. President Emmanuel Macron now has the unenviable choice of picking a viable successor with over two years of his presidential term left.
Macron’s Options
Macron is to address the nation at 1900 GMT on Thursday, the Elysee said. He can choose from a few candidates, including loyalist defence minister Sebastien Lecornu and Macron’s centrist ally Francois Bayrou, or turn to former Socialist premier and interior minister Bernard Cazeneuve, a contender in September. Macron is minded to appoint the new premier rapidly, several sources told AFP.
Consequences
The no-confidence vote will plunge the country into instability, according to Laurent Wauquiez, the head of right-wing deputies in parliament. The far-right and hard-left bear the responsibility for this move, he added. The unions have called for civil servants, including teachers and air traffic controllers, to strike on Thursday over separate cost-cutting measures proposed by their respective ministries this autumn.
Reactions
Mathilde Panot, the head of the parliamentary faction of the hard-left France Unbowed (LFI) party, urged "early presidential elections" to solve the deepening political crisis. Le Pen said her party would let the new premier work and help create a "budget that is acceptable for everyone." However, Le Pen’s move risks upsetting her own supporters, according to an editorial in Le Monde, which said she shattered the strategy of normalisation she had consistently pursued.
Conclusion
The ousting of the government is a major blow to Macron’s authority, and he faces a difficult task in finding a new prime minister who can stabilise the country. The country is bracing for public-sector strikes and is set to host a major international event on Saturday, the reopening of the Notre-Dame cathedral after the 2019 fire, with guests including Donald Trump on his first foreign trip since he was elected to be the next US president.
FAQs
Q: What is the current situation in France?
A: The French government has been ousted in a historic vote, plunging the country into political uncertainty.
Q: What is the reason for the ousting?
A: The hard left and far-right parties voted against the government, with the far-right holding the key to the government’s survival.
Q: What are the next steps for President Macron?
A: Macron will have to choose a new prime minister, with several candidates in the running, including loyalist defence minister Sebastien Lecornu and Macron’s centrist ally Francois Bayrou.
Q: What are the consequences of the no-confidence vote?
A: The country is bracing for public-sector strikes and is set to host a major international event on Saturday, the reopening of the Notre-Dame cathedral after the 2019 fire.