French lawmakers are set to vote on Wednesday on no-confidence motions that are expected to force Prime Minister Michel Barnier’s government out, deepening the political turmoil in the euro zone’s second-largest economy.
If the vote goes as anticipated, Barnier’s government will be the first to fall via no-confidence in over 60 years, amid efforts to address a massive budget deficit. In a television interview on Tuesday, Barnier expressed hope that his government could survive the vote, which is slated for the evening following a 4:00 p.m. (1500 GMT) debate.
However, the right-wing National Rally (RN) signaled early Wednesday that it would vote to remove Barnier, aligning with left-wing parties. This bipartisan support is sufficient to ensure the government’s ouster.
When asked whether RN would support the motion, lawmaker Laure Lavalette told TF1 TV: “Without a doubt.”
Lavalette dismissed warnings from Barnier and his ministers about potential catastrophic outcomes, stating: “There is no reason this leads to major chaos. Don’t play with fears … it’s not all going to crumble.”
Interior Minister Bruno Retailleau noted to CNews: “Nothing’s over until the vote but we can see we’re headed towards a censorship (of the government).”
The anticipated collapse of the government will leave a leadership void within the European Union at a time when Germany is also facing its own challenges and preparing for elections, just weeks before U.S. President-elect Donald Trump is set to return to the White House. President Emmanuel Macron may ask Barnier to remain in a caretaker capacity as he searches for a successor, a process that could extend into next year.
Economists and experts have indicated that while bond investors might not react with the financial “storm” Barnier has warned of, the broader economic impact of the political crisis is likely to be felt by businesses, consumers, and taxpayers.
