Sunday
22nd Dec 2024
Dhivehi Edition
French Prime Minister Michel Barnier is applauded by members of the French government after he delivered a speech during a debate on two motions of no-confidence against the French government, tabled by the alliance of left-wing parties the "Nouveau Front Populaire" (New Popular Front - NFP) and the far-right Rassemblement National party, after the use by French government of the article 49.3, a special clause in the French Constitution, to push the budget bill through the National Assembly without a vote by lawmakers, at the National Assembly in Paris, France, December 4, 2024. REUTERS/Sarah Meyssonnier
French Prime Minister Michel Barnier is set to resign on Friday after losing a critical confidence vote in parliament, marking a dramatic political upheaval in France. The vote, driven by a coalition of far-right and hard-left lawmakers, ends Barnier's brief tenure, making him the shortest-serving prime minister in modern French history.
The motion of no confidence was sparked by Barnier’s contentious decision to push through a €60 billion austerity budget without a parliamentary vote. The budget aimed to address France’s deficit but was criticized by Marine Le Pen’s far-right National Rally as disproportionately affecting working-class citizens. The leftist opposition also condemned the measure, contributing to a rare alliance against the government.
President Emmanuel Macron now faces mounting political pressure as his authority continues to erode amid the crisis. Calls for Macron’s resignation have intensified, though his mandate runs until 2027. Macron’s decision to call a snap election earlier this year in anticipation of the Paris Olympics backfired, leaving his government unable to secure a stable majority in parliament.
The fallout extends beyond France’s borders, as the political turmoil adds to an already fragile European Union landscape. Germany is grappling with its own governmental crisis, and the uncertainty in France could have broader implications for EU stability. The turmoil also comes just weeks before U.S. President-elect Donald Trump returns to office, raising geopolitical questions for Europe.
Barnier’s resignation leaves France without a 2025 budget or a clear path forward. While the constitution allows emergency measures to prevent a government shutdown, investors are uneasy. French borrowing costs surged earlier this week, briefly exceeding those of Greece.
President Macron is reportedly aiming to name a successor before Saturday, when Paris will host U.S. President-elect Trump for the unveiling of the renovated Notre Dame Cathedral. However, the next prime minister will inherit the same deeply divided parliament, where no major legislation can pass until after July.
France’s political future now hangs in the balance, as the government scrambles to restore stability amid growing economic and political uncertainty.