French President Emmanuel Macron is set to name a new prime minister “in the coming days” following the resignation of Michel Barnier. This comes after a historic no-confidence vote in parliament, where MPs overwhelmingly voted to remove Barnier from office, just three months after his appointment. Macron, addressing the nation in a 10-minute speech on Thursday, reaffirmed his commitment to serving his full term, despite mounting pressure from opposition forces.
The French political landscape has been shaken by the unprecedented removal of a prime minister. The no-confidence motion, tabled by a coalition of the far-left New Popular Front (NFP) and the far-right National Rally (RN), was triggered after Barnier, a former Brexit negotiator, invoked special powers to push through his budget without a vote. This move angered opposition MPs, culminating in a vote where 331 MPs supported the motion, far surpassing the 288 votes needed to topple the government. It marked the first time in over 60 years that a French government had been ousted by parliament, an event Macron labeled “unprecedented.”
Despite this setback, Macron has made it clear he intends to remain in power until the end of his term in 2027. He firmly rejected opposition calls for his resignation, emphasizing that the responsibility for the political crisis rests with those who voted against Barnier’s leadership. In his address, he denounced what he described as an “anti-republican front” formed by the far-left and far-right, accusing them of uniting not to protect the republic, but to undermine the government.
Marine Le Pen, leader of the RN, quickly responded, reminding Macron that the power of censure is enshrined in France’s Constitution. Le Pen, who was one of the key figures behind the motion, stated that the move was constitutional, defending her party’s actions as a legitimate exercise of parliamentary rights. This back-and-forth highlights the deepening political divisions in France, with Macron facing growing criticism from both ends of the political spectrum.
With Barnier’s resignation, the French government is now in a state of transition. Barnier will remain in office in a caretaker capacity until a new prime minister is appointed, and the budget for 2025, the central focus of the new government, remains unresolved. Macron did not provide any indication of who will be the next prime minister, though speculation is rife. Potential candidates include Defence Minister Sébastien Lecornu, Interior Minister Bruno Retailleau, and former presidential candidate François Bayrou, who could all play crucial roles in steering the government through the ongoing crisis.
However, finding a prime minister who commands majority support in the fractured parliament may prove to be a significant challenge. Macron’s decision to call snap elections earlier this year created a legislative stalemate, leaving France with a divided National Assembly. This deadlock, which has paralyzed much of the country’s legislative agenda, was a direct result of Macron’s controversial decision to dissolve the parliament, a move he admitted was poorly received. In his address, Macron acknowledged that many voters had not understood his decision, and he took responsibility for the ongoing political turmoil.
The situation in France is made even more urgent by the upcoming events in Paris, including the opening ceremony of the reconstructed Notre-Dame Cathedral this Saturday. World leaders, including U.S. President-elect Donald Trump, are expected to attend, and Macron is under pressure to ensure the government is in place to handle these high-profile occasions. The successful reconstruction of the cathedral, alongside France’s preparations for the 2024 Olympic Games, is a testament to the country’s resilience, Macron argued, despite the political chaos at home.
As the political crisis deepens, Macron’s ability to stabilize the situation and deliver a new prime minister will be crucial in restoring confidence in his leadership. Whether he can unite a divided parliament and navigate the mounting challenges ahead remains uncertain. In the meantime, France remains on edge, awaiting clarity on its next prime minister and the future of its government.
