The “moment of truth” awaited by michel Barnier ended this Wednesday, December 4, at 8.26 pm, with an ax-shaped figure for the Prime Minister. 331 deputies voted in favor of the motion of no confidence presented by the left, announced the president of the National Assembly Yaël Braun-Pivet.
This is a figure substantially higher than the 288 votes needed to adopt the motion or the absolute majority of the current 574 seats in the National Assembly (taking into account the three seats left vacant following the resignations of the deputies).
At 8.27pm, michel Barnier then left the chamber at a brisk pace amidst the applause of the deputies of his common base and the applause of the left.
Only the deputies in favor of the motion were called to participate,using barcoded cards,in the vote organized for 45 minutes in the rooms adjacent to the chamber,after more than two and a half hours of heated debate.
It is not surprising that the 193 deputies of the four groups of the New Popular Front voted almost unanimously in favor of the motion defended by LFI deputy and president of the Finance Commission Éric Coquerel.Not a single vote was missing from the LFI (71 deputies) and from the ecological and social group (38).
In the PS (66 deputies), only Sophie Pantel, deputy from lozère, is missing, who had already announced that she will not vote in favor of censorship. Like the New Caledonian MP Emmanuel Tjibaou in the Democratic and Republican Left group (17 deputies).
on the other side of the chamber, the deputies of the National rally and of the Ciottist right of the UDR also voted with an overwhelming majority in favor of the text (139 out of 140).An RN MP did not do so, with no clarification at this stage.
Despite the pressure exerted on the Lepenist troops in the previous hours, their hand did not tremble. “There was never any hesitation,” says Franck Allisio,RN MP for the Bouches-du-Rhone. twice this week,marine Le Pen asked us if any parliamentarians had doubts,but everyone was in unison. »
Elsewhere, Guadeloupe MP Olivier Serva is the only member of his centrist Liot group to have voted for censorship. Among the voters there is also the unregistered Daniel Grenon.
Until the end, Michel Barnier called on the elected representatives of the left and the RN to be “responsible”, asking them not to join forces to overthrow him in the name of the uncertainties that this would cause for the country. “Measure the consequences of this vote. Pierre mendès france said to never sacrifice the future for the present. I advise you to keep this phrase in mind when voting,” he insisted in an empty voice.
Before him, the leader of the deputies of the LR group Laurent Wauquiez and his Macron counterpart Gabriel Attal had afterward called on the RN and the left to “act together”. In vain. A few minutes earlier, the leader of the socialist deputies Boris Vallaud had summed up the situation with a formula: “The power is no longer in the Elysée, the power is no longer in Matignon, the power is here, in the National Assembly”. .
How might the political dynamics in France change following the vote of no confidence?
Interview: The Political Landscape Post-Vote of No Confidence
Interviewer (Time.news Editor): Good afternoon,and thank you for joining us today! We’re here with Dr. Elise Moreau, a political analyst and expert in governmental processes. Dr. Moreau, the recent vote of no confidence against Prime Minister Michel Barnier has left many in shock. Can you start by describing the significance of this moment?
Dr. elise Moreau: Absolutely, and thank you for having me. This moment is pivotal not just for Barnier but for the entire political landscape in France. The fact that 331 deputies voted in favor of the motion, far exceeding the 288 required, indicates a strong dissatisfaction with the current government. It reflects a significant shift in the National Assembly’s dynamics and raises questions about Barnier’s ability to govern moving forward.
Interviewer: That’s a striking number. With 574 seats in the National Assembly, how do you interpret the support behind this motion?
Dr. Elise Moreau: Well, the overwhelming support of the left suggests a united front against Barnier’s policies and leadership style. It’s noteworthy that this motion passed despite the current configuration of the Assembly, which is still affected by the recent resignations. This indicates a powerful coalition among opposition members, signaling that they believe strong action is necesary to instigate change.
Interviewer: What do you think were the key factors that led to this vote of no confidence? Were there specific policies or events that pushed the left to take this drastic measure?
Dr. Elise Moreau: Certainly. There were growing public discontent and protest movements against Barnier’s recent policies, especially in areas such as healthcare and economic reform. The opposition capitalized on these sentiments, aligning them with broader calls for accountability and transparency. This vote was not just about a single issue; it was a culmination of various grievances that have built up over time.
Interviewer: How does this vote impact Barnier’s future as Prime Minister? What are the possible scenarios we might see unfold in the coming weeks?
Dr.Elise moreau: The situation is precarious for Barnier. He has limited options; he could choose to step down, which would trigger a new leadership battle within his party, or he may attempt to rally support to counteract this motion by re-evaluating his policies. However, the credibility and political capital needed to regain lost trust will be hard to come by. His government faces the threat of instability, and there’s a strong possibility that the left could push for early elections if they believe they can capitalize on this momentum.
Interviewer: Given this context, how do you envision the role of the National Assembly in shaping the next steps? What should we watch for in the ensuing debates and discussions?
Dr. Elise Moreau: The National Assembly will play a crucial role in the coming weeks.We should closely monitor the emerging alliances among parties,as the power dynamics will shift in response to Barnier’s strategies. Upcoming debates will likely focus not only on the immediate outcome of this vote but also on broader legislative agendas, including potential reforms or new proposals from the opposition. Ultimately, this could lead to either a more collaborative surroundings or an escalation of tensions, depending on how both sides navigate this moment.
Interviewer: Thank you, Dr. Moreau, for your insight.It’s clear that the political landscape in France is poised for significant change. We appreciate your time and expertise on this developing situation.
Dr. Elise Moreau: Thank you for having me! It will be captivating to see how this all unfolds.
