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The French government collapsed on Wednesday as the lower house of parliament voted to remove Prime Minister Michel Barnier, the Wall Street Journal reported.
In an Assembly where no single party holds a majority, opposition groups united to oust Barnier, arguing that his policies imposed harsh austerity and ignored public needs, according to the Associated Press.
This vote has marked Barnier as the shortest-serving prime minister in France's modern history. Now, President Emmanuel Macron faces the task of appointing a new prime minister to ensure the continuation of legislative processes, including the critical approval of the 2025 budget.
Barnier's ousting comes after months of protests across France, with many citizens and political figures criticizing Macron for his method of appointing Barnier in a surprise snap election in September, as reported by France 24. Barnier had previously survived a similar no confidence motion in October.
Ahead of Wednesday's vote, Barnier, in a national television appeal, urged lawmakers to act with "responsibility" and prioritize "the country’s best interest."
"The situation is very difficult economically, socially, fiscally, and financially," Barnier declared on Tuesday. "If the no confidence motion passes, everything will be more difficult and everything will be more serious."
President Macron, who has insisted he will serve out his term until 2027, is facing mounting pressure from an increasing number of lawmakers calling for his resignation.
Right-wing leader Marine Le Pen, in a speech before the vote, accused Macron of being willing to "sacrifice the fate of France because of his vanity."
"Emmanuel Macron has attacked the foundation walls of the nation for the past seven years," Le Pen stated. "He alone can pull the country out of the rut it’s in [with his resignation]."
Éric Coquerel, who leads the National Assembly’s finance committee and represents the left-wing New Popular Front, urged Macron to "listen to the calls for his resignation growing from all sides."
"Today we are voting to censure your government, but more than anything else, we are sounding the death knell of a mandate: that of the president," Coquerel said.
The last instance where the National Assembly successfully toppled a prime minister was in 1962, during the tumultuous period of Algeria’s fight for independence and an assassination attempt on then-president Charles de Gaulle.
"The situation is very difficult economically, socially, fiscally, and financially," Barnier declared on Tuesday. "If the no confidence motion passes, everything will be more difficult and everything will be more serious."
President Macron, who has insisted he will serve out his term until 2027, is facing mounting pressure from an increasing number of lawmakers calling for his resignation.
Right-wing leader Marine Le Pen, in a speech before the vote, accused Macron of being willing to "sacrifice the fate of France because of his vanity."
"Emmanuel Macron has attacked the foundation walls of the nation for the past seven years," Le Pen stated. "He alone can pull the country out of the rut it’s in [with his resignation]."
Éric Coquerel, who leads the National Assembly’s finance committee and represents the left-wing New Popular Front, urged Macron to "listen to the calls for his resignation growing from all sides."
"Today we are voting to censure your government, but more than anything else, we are sounding the death knell of a mandate: that of the president," Coquerel said.
The last instance where the National Assembly successfully toppled a prime minister was in 1962, during the tumultuous period of Algeria’s fight for independence and an assassination attempt on then-president Charles de Gaulle.
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