Thu Dec 05 17:23:56 UTC 2024: ## French Government Collapses; Macron to Address Nation Amidst Political Crisis

**PARIS (AP)** — France is in political turmoil following a no-confidence vote that ousted Prime Minister Michel Barnier after just three months in office. The vote, which passed with 331 votes in the National Assembly, marks the shortest tenure for a prime minister in modern French history. President Emmanuel Macron accepted Barnier’s resignation and will address the nation this evening to navigate the crisis.

Barnier and his ministers will remain in a caretaker role until a new government is formed. The challenge for Macron is significant; no single party holds a majority in parliament, making the formation of a stable government extremely difficult. The president of the National Assembly urged Macron to act swiftly to appoint a new prime minister capable of uniting the fractured parliament and passing a crucial budget bill.

While Macron has ruled out early elections and reiterated his commitment to serving his full term until 2027, opposition parties are seizing the opportunity. Leaders of both the far-left and far-right have called for Macron’s resignation, although neither demanded new elections. The far-right National Rally, holding the most seats in the Assembly, warned of increasing pressure on the president.

The political instability is causing significant economic concerns. Moody’s rating agency warned that the government’s fall reduces the likelihood of fiscal consolidation, potentially worsening France’s already high debt and increasing interest rates. Macron’s address is expected to address these economic challenges and outline a path forward for the country.

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