French Prime Minister Michel Barnier will resign on Thursday following a dramatic no-confidence vote in the National Assembly that toppled his government. This marks the first time in more than 60 years that a French government has been brought down by parliamentary action, plunging the country into its second major political crisis in six months.
The no-confidence motion, backed by a coalition of far-right and left-wing lawmakers, was a response to Barnier’s controversial use of executive powers to pass a budget that proposed €60 billion in deficit reduction measures. Opposition groups, including Marine Le Pen’s far-right National Rally (RN) and the left-wing New Popular Front (NFP), condemned the budget as “toxic for the French” and “unacceptable.”
A Historic Downfall
Barnier, appointed by President Emmanuel Macron just three months ago, is now set to become the shortest-serving prime minister in modern French history. His tenure was marked by tension and widespread dissatisfaction, with critics accusing his administration of prioritizing fiscal discipline over addressing the immediate needs of struggling French citizens.
The no-confidence vote passed overwhelmingly, with 331 MPs voting in favor—well above the 288 votes required to unseat the government. The disputed budget was automatically withdrawn following the vote, and Barnier is expected to stay on as caretaker prime minister while Macron selects his successor, a process that could take weeks.
Macron’s Challenges Ahead
President Macron, who returned to France late Wednesday from a state visit to Saudi Arabia, is expected to address the nation in a televised speech Thursday evening. While Barnier’s resignation does not directly affect Macron’s presidency, the political upheaval raises questions about the president’s ability to govern effectively amidst a fractured parliament and mounting public unrest.
Opposition leaders are increasingly vocal about the need for early presidential elections, though Macron has repeatedly dismissed such calls. “This is a political crisis, not a constitutional one,” an Élysée spokesperson said, emphasizing the president’s intention to continue his second term.
Opposition Unity and Division
The no-confidence motion united the RN and NFP, unlikely allies in most circumstances. While the RN criticized the government’s austerity measures as harmful to ordinary citizens, the NFP accused Macron of bypassing democratic norms by ignoring their candidate for prime minister.
Marine Le Pen, leader of the RN, expressed relief over Barnier’s departure but stopped short of calling for Macron’s resignation. “This government was out of touch with the needs of the French people,” she told TF1. Meanwhile, NFP leader Mathilde Pichon stated, “This is not just about one prime minister—it’s about the direction this administration is taking the country.”
A Nation in Deadlock
With no parliamentary elections scheduled until July 2025, France faces months of legislative gridlock. Analysts warn that the current stalemate could exacerbate public dissatisfaction, already heightened by economic challenges such as inflation and unemployment.
For now, all eyes are on Macron as he seeks to stabilize his administration and rebuild trust in a nation increasingly divided by political ideologies and economic hardship. The coming weeks will be crucial in determining whether France can navigate this turbulent period or whether deeper political upheaval lies ahead.