On Wednesday evening, the French government led by Prime Minister Michel Barnier was ousted by the National Assembly, the lower house of Parliament. The no-confidence motion passed with 331 votes in favor, exceeding the 288 needed for a simple majority. This unusual alliance between the leftist New Popular Front (NFP) and Marine Le Pen’s far-right National Rally (RN) effectively brought down the administration. The two parties had previously been at odds, but their shared opposition to Barnier’s austerity measures united them in this critical vote.
The no-confidence motion was one of two presented, with the NFP’s gaining more traction due to a larger number of signatories. It was initiated following Barnier’s controversial push for approval of part of the disputed 2025 budget, using a provision that allows financial legislation to bypass a parliamentary vote. The RN had threatened to withdraw support unless significant amendments were made, but the government’s adjustments were deemed insufficient. Barnier had been struggling for days to maintain his government, appealing to the responsibility of individual MPs, but the recent vote signifies a deeper political stalemate.
France has been facing a political impasse since the legislative elections in July, resulting in a fragmented Parliament divided among the left, Macron’s centrist coalition, and the RN. With Barnier’s government now in shambles, President Macron is left with limited options for moving forward, including appointing a new Prime Minister to maintain a similar majority, seeking support from the left, or forming a technocratic government independent of party politics. However, constitutional restrictions prevent Macron from dissolving the National Assembly and calling for new elections until July 2025. As the crisis unfolds, Macron is set to address the nation on Thursday evening, outlining the government’s next steps.
