It took 288 votes to bring down Michel Barnier’s government. 331 deputies voted “in favor” of the motion of censure, the president of the National Assembly Yaël Braun Pivet announced at 8.25 pm. At the end of a historic session,the overthrow of the government was sealed by the votes of the National Rally,the largest group in the hemicycle which believes it’s demands were not sufficiently taken into consideration in the vote on the 2025 Budget,adn by the New Popular Front,who presented the motion of censure,voted this evening.
Michel Barnier’s government had taken on the responsibility of having the Social Security budget for 2025 adopted without a vote, after a week of tense and stagnant debates.”It is indeed not for pleasure that I have presented almost only difficult measures in this budget. I would have preferred to distribute money”, he assured in a farewell speech on his financial bill, characterized by the left in particular as an “austerity” text. who defended his record and that of his ministers a few minutes before the vote. In his last words as Prime Minister, he called on every MP to “responsibility” in the “moment of truth”.
just three months after his appointment – his government holds the record for the shortest life with 89 days in office – Michel Barnier, 73, will therefore have to immediately submit his resignation to the Head of State, in accordance with the Constitution. He thus became the first head of government censured as Georges Pompidou in 1962, and the shortest-lived prime minister of the Fifth Republic. Until the end, Emmanuel Macron had rejected the idea of censorship. From Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, the President of the Republic said on Tuesday that he “does not beleive in the censure vote”, underlining the “unbearable cynicism” of the RN if it added its votes to those of the PFN, and the PS side a “loss complete with bearings”.
tips thrown in the direction of Emmanuel Macron
The interventions followed one another in the Assembly before the vote. In defense of the censure motion, Eric Coquerel (LFI) criticized the “illegitimacy” of a government that does not reflect the result of the legislative elections and refuses to reconsider the pension reform.Boris Vallaud, head of deputies of the PS, accuses Michel Barnier of having “enclosed himself in a humiliating tête-à-tête” with the leader of the RN Marine Le Pen. A severe blow was also struck against the head of state, becoming, according to him, “an obstacle, and in no way a solution. Today we vote to censure your government but, more than anything else, we ring the death knell of “one mandate: that of the president”, declared the deputy from Seine-Saint-Denis at the opening of the debates.
Despite the numerous concessions obtained in the final stretch, the leader of the far-right group for her part criticized the policy proposed by the prime minister: “you gave only one answer, taxes […] the worst policy would be not to censor such a budget”, declared Marine Le Pen. Faced with “popular distrust”,it is indeed up to Emmanuel Macron “to conclude whether he can remain president or not”,she added,also fueling the hypothesis of the resignation of the President of the Republic,which the latter rejects.
A nomination this week?
The president intends to appoint matignon’s successor “quickly”, according to all his interlocutors. The names of the Minister of the Armed Forces Sébastien Lecornu, the LR Xavier Bertrand or the president of the MoDem François Bayrou are mentioned again, as this summer, for Matignon. An appointment before the pompous ceremony for the reopening of Notre-Dame on saturday is “possible”, but not guaranteed, a close friend of the president estimates to AFP, who recalls Emmanuel Macron’s often long delays when it comes to reorganizations. “Nothing has been decided”, for the moment the presidential entourage limits itself to replying.
Within the common base, which was already struggling to support Michel Barnier (LR, Modem, orizzonti and Macronisti) in a united way, cracks could widen over the strategies of this post-censorship. Republicans are already threatening to take back their freedom. Their leader Laurent Wauquiez stresses that his party’s commitment to the government coalition in September “only applied to Michel Barnier”. For his part, the leader of the Macronist deputies Gabriel Attal proposes to stipulate a “non-censorship” agreement between the LR and the PS to escape the control of the RN.
What led to the fall of Michel Barnier’s government after 89 days in office?
Time.news Interview: Editor Meets government Expert on the Unraveling of Michel Barnier’s Management
Time.news Editor: Welcome, everyone.today, we have the pleasure of speaking with Dr. claire Duval, a renowned political analyst and expert in parliamentary affairs. With the recent fall of Michel barnier’s government after just 89 days in office, we’re here to break down what happened and what it might mean for the future. Dr. Duval, thank you for joining us.
Dr. Claire Duval: Thank you for having me. It’s a notable moment in French politics, and I’m glad to discuss it.
Editor: Absolutely. Let’s start with the facts: Barnier’s government was brought down by a motion of censure that garnered 331 votes. What do you think were the key factors behind this overwhelming opposition?
Dr. Duval: Ther are several critical factors at play here. Firstly, the dissatisfaction among the National Rally and the New Popular Front played a pivotal role. The National Rally felt their demands weren’t adequately addressed in the 2025 Budget discussions. meanwhile, the New Popular Front initiated the motion of censure, indicating a broader coalition against Barnier’s government. This discontent brewed over the course of the budget debates, which were notably tense.
Editor: Indeed, Barnier proposed his financial bill amid the outcry, promoting measures that many critics labeled as austerity. How do you think this label affected his government’s stability?
Dr. Duval: The term “austerity” carries a heavy weight in public discourse, especially in a place like France, where social safety nets are highly valued. By presenting a budget that many viewed as prioritizing cuts over social spending, Barnier alienated key constituents, even within the assembly. His farewell speech, where he lamented that he would have preferred to distribute money, was a stark admission of his awareness of this disconnect. It’s a classic case of misreading the public sentiment and parliamentary dynamics.
Editor: It certainly seems so. Barnier was Prime Minister for only three months—did that timeline contribute to his government’s downfall?
Dr. Duval: Without a doubt. The short-lived administration indicates a failure to build necessary coalitions and alliances. In addition, 89 days is an incredibly brief period to effect change or prove the effectiveness of a government. The very rapid dismissal suggests that confidence in his leadership was low from the outset, compounded by challenges in navigating the intricacies of the National assembly.
Editor: in his final moments, Barnier called on MPs to take responsibility, framing it as a “moment of truth.” Was this a strategic attempt to regain some political ground, or was it an acknowledgment of the inevitable?
Dr.Duval: It seems to be both. By appealing to responsibility, he attempted to position himself as a leader concerned about the broader implications of his government’s fall, rather than just his personal political fate. However, it came across as an acknowledgment that he had lost the support necessary to lead effectively. Leaders in such positions often make emotional appeals, but they must be backed by tangible support, which he evidently lacked.
Editor: So, looking ahead, what do you foresee for the political landscape in France now that Barnier’s government has fallen?
Dr. Duval: We may see an opportunity for opposition parties to consolidate their power. The National Rally, emboldened by their role in the censure motion, could rise in prominence. Additionally, the political vacuum could lead to a scramble among other parties to establish a new coalition. Given the current context, we might also expect heightened debates over budgetary priorities, especially as the country heads into crucial economic discussions.
Editor: Exciting yet uncertain times for France.Thank you so much, Dr. Duval, for your insights into this pressing issue. We look forward to seeing how the political dynamics evolve.
Dr. Duval: Thank you for having me. It’s always a pleasure to discuss the intricate world of politics.