Fri Dec 06 02:58:25 UTC 2024: ## French Government Collapses in No-Confidence Vote
**PARIS** – France’s government has crumbled following a no-confidence vote against Prime Minister Michel Barnier on Thursday. The motion, overwhelmingly supported by MPs, marks the first time a French government has fallen in such a manner since 1962. A total of 331 MPs voted in favor of the motion, surpassing the 288 needed for it to pass.
The vote followed Barnier’s controversial use of special powers to pass his budget without parliamentary approval. This action sparked outrage from opposition parties, who swiftly filed the no-confidence motion. Both the left-wing New Popular Front (NFP) and the far-right National Rally (RN), led by Marine Le Pen, criticized the move. Le Pen labelled the budget “toxic for the French.”
Despite the collapse, President Emmanuel Macron, who appointed Barnier three months ago, will not resign. He is expected to swiftly appoint a new prime minister to avoid a governmental vacuum, particularly with US President-elect Donald Trump scheduled to visit Paris this weekend for the Notre-Dame cathedral reopening.
The current parliamentary deadlock, resulting from the summer’s inconclusive elections, is expected to persist. New elections are not possible until July. Barnier will likely remain as caretaker prime minister until his successor is named. The budget that triggered the crisis is now void.
Barnier defended his actions before the vote, emphasizing the need to address France’s debt. However, his plea for responsibility fell on deaf ears. While Le Pen called for Barnier’s removal, she stopped short of demanding Macron’s resignation, though she warned that continued disregard for voter sentiment could increase pressure on the president. Macron is scheduled to address the nation in a televised speech later Thursday.
First Piper 