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France. Michael Barnier's government fell and a vote of no confidence was passed

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On Wednesday, the French parliament adopted a motion of no confidence in the government of Michel Barnier. The collapse of the cabinet deepens the political uncertainty that has prevailed in the country since the early elections in July, in which neither party obtained a parliamentary majority.

In the National Assembly France On Wednesday afternoon, a vote of no confidence in the government of Prime Minister Michel Barnier was held. The motion was adopted by the chamber with 331 votes from far-left and far-right members. 289 votes were needed to pass.

This means the government collapsed just three months after 73-year-old Barnier took office in early September. This is the first time since 1962 that a French government has been overthrown by a vote of no confidence.

“We have reached the moment of truth.” A stormy debate

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There was a debate in parliament earlier. – We have reached the moment of truth – said the leader of the far-right National Rally from the podium Marine Le Pen. “It has become clear that you are simply running a government without democratic legitimacy,” she added, turning to Barnier.

Eric Coquerel of the radical left-wing France Indomitable (LFI) argued that “most people support the motion he submitted.” He assessed that Barnier's defeat had been “predicted for a long time”.

He also said that the special procedure used by Barnier to push through the budget bill without a vote is “the preferred option of weak governments.”

National AssemblyEPA/CHRISTOPHE PETIT

Laurent Wauquiez, an MP from the Republicans (LR), the party forming the government, accused Le Pen's party of “choosing irresponsibility” and “chaos”. He warned that a motion against the government “would plunge the country into instability.” Former Prime Minister Gabriel Attal said that “the far right is making a mistake against history by voting to overthrow the government.” – France needs stability and the world needs a stable France – said Attal.

Barnier himself, defending his government, said that removing him from power would not solve the country's financial problems. – We need to look at the reality of our debt – he pointed out.

The Prime Minister defends the decision to push through the budget, arguing that he cooperated with both houses of parliament to develop the document. He also warned that failure to adopt the 2025 budget before the end of this year will mean higher taxation for 18 million families, lack of funds to increase jobs in the police and army, and lower social contributions for farmers.

Le Pen assured during the debate that the National Rally would support a law in the future allowing the provisions of this year's budget to be applied next year. The adoption of such a special financial law is a solution provided for in the French legal system, which is intended to prevent a situation comparable to a shutdown in USA.

Where do the motions for a vote of no confidence in the government come from?

On Monday, French Prime Minister Michel Barnier announced in parliament the use of the constitutional mechanism that allows the adoption of the budget bill without the need to vote. For the first time, the government used the mechanism described in Article 49.3 of the Constitution, allowing the adoption of laws without voting.

As the BBC writes, his decision resulted from the fact that he knew he had no chance of obtaining the opposition votes he would need to adopt the legislation.

In response, opposition parties submitted motions of no confidence. The first motion of no confidence was submitted by over 180 deputies of the left-wing New People's Front (NFP), and it was adopted on Wednesday. The second motion is an initiative of the far-right National Union (RN) and a group of right-wing MPs led by Erik Ciotti, who do not belong to the RN but support this party. It was signed by 140 deputies.

289 votes are needed to pass a vote of no confidence, and the RN and the extreme left together have over 300 seats in parliament.

Michel BarnierALAIN JOCARD/AFP/East News

What's next for the French government? Possible scenarios

According to the BBC, Barnier may remain as interim prime minister while President Emmanuel Macron searches for a new candidate to replace him.

However, since the president's camp does not have a majority in parliament, the chamber may reject subsequent nominations made by Macron.

According to media reports, the candidates under consideration include: former left-wing Prime Minister Bernard Cazeneuve, Defense Minister Sebastien Lecornu, Interior Minister Bruno Retailleau, head of the centrist MoDem party Francois Bayrou and Senate President Gerard Larcher, as well as Republican politician Xavier Bertrand.

Reuters reported on Wednesday, citing sources, that Macron would like the candidate to be known on Saturday, when the leaders of states and governments, including Donald Trump.

There are also other possible scenarios after the fall of the government. Macron could appoint a technocratic government that is not elected in general elections. But – notes the BBC – such governments often last for a short time.

At the same time, holding another election is out of the question because, according to the French constitution, they cannot be called within a year of the previous election, which was held in July.

Michel Barnier's cabinet has been in operation since September 21. His appointment was preceded by an unprecedented situation for France – after the parliamentary elections, no majority government was formed: neither under the leadership of the presidential camp nor under the leadership of the opposition. Parliament is divided into three main blocks, none of which has a absolute majority or even a strong relative majority.

Main photo source: PAP/EPA/YOAN VALAT



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