French Government Falls After Historic No-Confidence Vote

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In a historic turn of events, the French government has dissolved following a devastating no-confidence vote against Prime Minister Michel Barnier, just three months into his controversial appointment by President Emmanuel Macron.

The government’s downfall came after Barnier attempted to force through a budget proposal without parliamentary approval, prompting opposition parties to initiate the no-confidence motion.

#WATCH: The French Govt falls in a Confidence vote for the first time since 1962 and Michel Bernier will be forced to resign.

There's one French Prime Minister down, can Justin Trudeau be next? Asking for millions of Canadians! pic.twitter.com/AliyNpjgbp

— govt.exe is corrupt (@govt_corrupt) December 4, 2024

“It marks the first time the country’s government has collapsed in a no-confidence vote since 1962. The development will further France’s political instability, after snap elections in summer led to no single group having a majority in parliament.

MPs were required to either vote yes or abstain from Wednesday’s vote, with 288 votes needed for the motion to pass. A total of 331 voted in support of the motion.”

Following this decisive vote, Barnier and his cabinet must step down, abandoning their proposed budget. He will maintain a caretaker role until Macron selects his replacement.

“Both the left and far right had tabled motions of no-confidence after Barnier pushed through reforms to social security by invoking presidential decree on Monday, after failing to win enough support for the measures.”

Both the left-wing New Popular Front and right-wing National Rally expressed strong opposition to Barnier’s budget proposals.

“‘We have reached a moment of truth, of responsibility’, [Barnier] said, adding that ‘we need to look at the realities of our debt’. ‘It is not a pleasure that I propose difficult measures’.”

This is extraordinary: former French Prime Minister Dominique de Villepin delivering an absolutely masterful lecture on diplomacy to Elisabeth Borne (France's PM from 2022 to January 2024) over Gaza.

I translated the whole exchange for you 👇

It really depressingly illustrate… pic.twitter.com/SLVPhOHXVd

— Arnaud Bertrand (@RnaudBertrand) November 25, 2024

Marine Le Pen, representing the National Rally, supported Barnier’s removal while stopping short of demanding Macron’s resignation.

“However, Le Pen added that ‘if we do not respect the voice of voters and show respect for political forces and respect for elections’, then pressure on the president will ‘obviously be stronger and stronger’.”

Despite this setback, Macron remains committed to his position, pledging to swiftly appoint a new Prime Minister regardless of the vote’s outcome.