French lawmakers are poised to vote on a no-confidence motion Wednesday afternoon, a move likely to topple Prime Minister Michel Barnier’s government.
The vote comes after Barnier bypassed parliament to push through a social security financial bill, invoking a constitutional maneuver that triggered widespread backlash.
Scheduled for 4 p.m. in the National Assembly, the debate will address multiple no-confidence motions introduced on Monday. Both the left-wing New Popular Front coalition and the far-right National Front have vowed to support the motions, giving the opposition a majority needed to oust Barnier.
If Barnier is removed, he would make history as the shortest-serving prime minister in modern France, a dramatic end to his tenure that began in September under President Emmanuel Macron. Barnier’s appointment came with the daunting task of passing a slimmed-down budget despite lacking a parliamentary majority.
Political analysts warn that Barnier’s likely ousting could exacerbate France’s political instability and worsen its mounting budget deficit. The crisis has sparked concerns across the European Union about France’s governability.
Ahead of the vote, Barnier is set to make a televised appeal to lawmakers on Tuesday evening, urging them to reconsider their stance. If the government falls, it would mark the first successful no-confidence vote in France since 1962—a significant blow to Macron’s administration.
