French Lawmakers Oust Prime Minister Michel Barnier in Historic Vote
On December 4, 2024, French lawmakers voted decisively to remove Prime Minister Michel Barnier in a historic no-confidence vote, marking the first occurrence of such an event in the French National Assembly since 1962. The vote, with 331 lawmakers supporting the motion against Barnier, significantly exceeds the 288 required, representing a major setback for President Emmanuel Macron.
This political upheaval follows a turbulent period, as Barnier had only recently taken office after being appointed by Macron following snap elections that resulted in no governing majority. Under the French Constitution, the government cannot call for new elections until next summer, leaving Macron with the urgent task of naming a new prime minister.
The vote comes after Barnier faced criticism for advancing a 2025 national budget without sufficient legislative support, which pushed opposition lawmakers to take a stand against him. With the National Assembly divided among the far-right National Rally, the left-wing coalition, and Macron’s centrist party, future governance of France remains uncertain.
Barnier, at 73, leaves office after just 91 days, the shortest tenure for a prime minister in modern French history. A seasoned politician, he previously served as France’s foreign minister and played a critical role in negotiating Brexit terms as the EU commissioner.
As an experienced politician with a lengthy career, Barnier faced allegations of lacking democratic legitimacy during his short time in office. These challenges have raised concerns regarding the formation of a new government that can attain a stable majority in the divided National Assembly.
During the no-confidence debate, Marine Le Pen, the leader of the National Rally, harshly criticized Barnier for failing to address urgent security issues and rising crime, claiming that he only offered “crumbs” to the public while imposing more taxes. Barnier defended his government’s fiscal policies and emphasized the need for responsibility and realism in addressing the nation’s debt.
The fallout from this vote signifies a chaotic political environment for France, with economic markets likely responding negatively amid uncertainty regarding budget enactment and government stability. Barnier’s promise to advance the budget has now been thwarted, necessitating a caretaker government to maintain essential functions within the country.
*This is a developing story and may be updated as more information becomes available.*
*Reported by Willem Marx from London; Eleanor Beardsley from Paris.*
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