Political instability in France as Govt collapses after no-confidence vote

New Delhi, Dec 5: France Prime Minister Michel Barnier faced a no-confidence vote in the National Assembly, marking the collapse of the government just three months after Barnier's appointment. The motion, passed by 331 MPs, is the first such collapse of a French government since 1962, dipping the country into deeper political uncertainty.

The no-confidence motion came in response to Barnier’s controversial use of presidential decree powers to pass his budget, bypassing parliamentary approval. The €60 billion deficit-reduction plan was met with opposition from both the left-wing New Popular Front (NFP) and the far-right National Rally (RN). Critics decried the budget as harsh and "toxic," a sentiment echoed by RN leader Marine Le Pen.

Barnier, a former EU Brexit negotiator appointed by President Emmanuel Macron to lead a centrist government, faced a hostile legislature following the snap elections earlier this year. The elections resulted in no single party or coalition gaining a majority, leaving the Assembly fragmented and governance challenging.

Wednesday's vote required a majority of 288 to pass, but the motion far exceeded that threshold, with 331 MPs voting in favour. Barnier is now constitutionally obligated to resign, along with his government. However, Michel Barnier will serve as a caretaker prime minister while Macron searches for a successor.

The immediate casualty of the vote is Barnier’s budget, which will now be scrapped. The social security reforms central to the budget had sparked protests and drawn ire from both opposition parties and the public. Defending his measures before the vote, Barnier called for pragmatism and responsibility, stating, "It is not a pleasure that I propose difficult measures, but they are necessary."

President Macron, who returned to France from a state visit to Saudi Arabia hours before the vote, is not impacted by the government’s collapse due to France’s separation of presidential and parliamentary elections. However, the defeat is a political blow to Macron.

He will address a televised speech to the nation, scheduled for Thursday evening, where he is expected to outline his plans for stabilising the government.

The president faces a delicate balancing act: he must appoint a new prime minister capable of navigating a fractured parliament while avoiding further alienation of opposition parties. Macron is also set to host US President-elect Donald Trump in Paris this weekend for the reopening of Notre-Dame Cathedral.

This latest upheaval highlights the continuing gridlock in French politics. With no single party holding a majority, legislative deadlock is likely to persist until new elections can be held in July. The NFP and RN, the two largest opposition blocs, have repeatedly clashed with Macron's centrists over economic and social policies, fuelling tensions in the Assembly.

The collapse of Barnier’s government is not only a challenge for Macron but also a stark reminder of the fragile balance in France’s political system.