In a historic and dramatic development, the minority government led by French Prime Minister Michel Barnier has been ousted after losing a no-confidence vote in parliament.
This marks the first time since 1962 that a French administration has been brought down by such a motion, making it the shortest-lived government in the Fifth Republic’s history.
The motion, introduced by the leftist NFP alliance, was supported by 331 members of parliament, significantly surpassing the required majority of 288 votes.
The outcome leaves Prime Minister Barnier, who has held the office for just three months, with no choice but to tender his resignation along with that of his government to President Emmanuel Macron.
This result intensifies the political crisis in France at a challenging time for Europe. Germany remains consumed by its own parliamentary election campaign, and the return of Donald Trump to the White House looms on the horizon.
France, now without a functioning government, faces increasing uncertainty both domestically and on the international stage.
Earlier, President Emmanuel Macron urged lawmakers to set aside personal ambitions and vote against the no-confidence motion.
Speaking from Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, he emphasised the need for political stability and called on MPs to prioritise the interests of the French people over their own political gains.
Macron described the situation as a potential "unbearable cynicism" if the far-right National Rally, led by Marine Le Pen, joined forces with the left-wing coalition to bring down the government.
Macron’s concerns about the vote’s outcome were not unfounded. Le Pen’s National Rally emerged as the largest single party in the lower house of parliament following the June snap elections, gaining significant influence.
The National Rally's decision to support the motion was a decisive factor in the government’s downfall, as the alliance of the far-right and left proved formidable.
This political turmoil can be traced back to Macron’s call for snap elections earlier in the year.
The decision followed his party's poor performance in European elections, a move that now seems to have backfired. Despite his appeals for unity and stability, Macron faces a deepening crisis with no clear solution in sight.
Le Pen's growing influence in French politics has also added a new layer of complexity. With her party now positioned as a kingmaker in the lower house, she continues to shape France's political landscape in ways that could challenge Macron’s agenda.
Her party’s support for the no-confidence motion underscores her readiness to leverage her newfound power, further complicating the president's attempts to govern effectively.
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