Macron is in a hurry to elect a new government
michel Barnier is the shortest-serving prime minister in the history of the modern French republic and the first to be expelled from parliament since 1962. It came after Marine Le Pen’s far-right and left-wing New Popular Front teamed up late on Wednesday to topple Barnier’s government after the former brexit negotiator used special powers to push through his budget without a vote in the parliament.A total of 331 MPs voted in favor of the no-confidence motion, far more than the 288 needed to pass it. It was the first successful vote of no confidence as the defeat of Georges Pompidou’s government in 1962, when Charles de Gaulle was president.
The budget bill that toppled the government contained €60 billion in tax increases and spending cuts aimed at reducing the deficit to 5% of economic output in 2025. from approximately 6.1% this year.
The political chaos has led a growing number of lawmakers to call for the resignation of Macron, whose term runs until 2027. this would be an almost unprecedented move in modern French politics. The head of state’s office saeid he would address the nation late Thursday. However, according to Marine Le Pen, Macron will “sacrifice the fate of France for his vanity” if he does not step down.
Meanwhile on Thursday, the French president met with allies and senior politicians as he tried to quickly find a new prime minister. François Bayrou, whose name is often cited by the French media as a possible successor to Barnier, was due to have lunch with Macron. Bayrou is a veteran, centrist politician and a close ally of the head of state. Defense Minister Sébastien Lecorneau has also been tipped as a possible candidate for prime minister.
Sources close to the Elysee Palace have revealed that Macron aims to appoint Barnier’s replacement quickly and wants to do so before Saturday’s ceremony to reopen Notre Dame Cathedral – renovated after a devastating fire. US President-elect Donald Trump is among the world leaders expected to attend the event.
Allies in Macron’s camp are also calling for swift action. After snap elections in late June and early July, it took the president nearly two months to appoint Barnier.
Experts note that any new prime minister will face the same challenges that led to Barnier’s downfall, notably pushing through the 2025 budget. across the deeply divided parliament at a time when France needs to fix its ailing public finances.
New parliamentary elections cannot be held until July next year, so the current deadlock in parliament – where no political group can hope to have a majority – is expected to continue, Western media reported. Macron himself said that he would not resign, regardless of the fall of Barnier.