The French National Assembly has passed a vote of no confidence against Prime Minister Michel Barnier’s government, with 331 deputies voting in favor, surpassing the required minimum of 289 votes.
This marks the first time a French government has been ousted by a no-confidence vote since 1962, when Georges Pompidou stepped down. Barnier has become France’s shortest-serving prime minister, holding office for just 90 days.
The cabinet will now serve in a caretaker capacity while President Emmanuel Macron searches for a new prime minister. Following snap elections in July, it previously took 50 days to form a new government.
Under the French Constitution, new elections cannot be held within a year of the previous ones.
Amid the political crisis, calls for Macron’s resignation have intensified, but the president has reaffirmed his commitment to remain in office until the end of his term in 2027, pledging to serve France “until the very last second.”
