French government collapses in no-confidence vote
France is facing political turmoil as Prime Minister Michel Barnier has been ousted following a decisive no-confidence vote in parliament, just three months after his appointment by President Emmanuel Macron.
The motion, supported by 331 MPs, comes after widespread outrage over Barnier’s use of special powers to force his budget through without a parliamentary vote. This marks the first time since 1962 that a French government has fallen to a no-confidence vote.
The collapse adds to the instability caused by snap elections earlier this year, which left no party with a parliamentary majority. MPs were required to either vote “yes” or abstain from the motion, with 288 votes needed to succeed.
Barnier must now present his government’s resignation, leaving the controversial budget reforms dead in the water. While he is expected to remain as caretaker prime minister, President Macron faces the challenge of appointing a successor to lead a deeply divided parliament.
