Chicago – December 04, 2024
The French National Assembly voted to remove Prime Minister Michel Barnier from office on Wednesday, causing the current government to collapse. 331 lawmakers voted in favor of the no-confidence motion, surpassing the 288 votes needed to pass it.
This vote follows Barnier’s appointment by President Emmanuel Macron just three months ago in September. Barnier, a conservative leader, is now set to become the shortest-serving prime minister in French history.
Before the vote, Barnier expressed pride in having served France, saying, “It has been an honor to serve with dignity.” Macron, who plans to stay in office until 2027, will now have to appoint a new prime minister for the second time.
Disagreements over the government’s budget triggered the no-confidence vote. Lawmakers from both the far-right and far-left joined forces to oppose the government.
The political landscape shifted after the July elections, which saw Macron’s centrist coalition lose many seats to the left-wing New Popular Front coalition. Marine Le Pen, leader of the far-right National Rally, has expressed interest in working with the next prime minister.
