The French government has fallen

Published 5 December 2024 at 08.14

Foreign. The French government has collapsed after Prime Minister Michel Barnier lost a vote of no confidence in parliament. It is the first time in 60 years that something like this has happened in the country.

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A total of 331 members voted to oust Barnier, which is far more than the 288 votes which was required, BBC News reports.

The vote of no confidence was carried out just three months after he took office as prime minister, appointed by President Emmanuel Macron.

The background to the crisis is Barnier's decision to use special powers to push through a budget without a vote. The budget, which contained a deficit target of 60 billion euros, was heavily criticized by both the left and the right-wing National Gathering party. Marine Le Pen, leader of the National Assembly party, called the budget “poisonous for the French people”.

Michel Barnier has now submitted his government resignation, but is expected to remain as acting prime minister until Macron appoints a successor.

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The president, who is not directly affected by the vote, is expected to act quickly to avoid a government crisis – especially ahead of the planned visit of US President-elect Donald Trump to the weekend.

However, the political deadlock in parliament, where no party has a majority, looks set to continue until new elections can be held in July.

Macron will make another speech the nation on Thursday evening to address the emerging situation.