French Prime Minister Michel Barnier is facing a no-confidence vote in his minority government after using special powers to force through his budget without a vote. Despite being widely predicted to lose the vote, Barnier remains open to budget talks with opposition parties and has distanced himself from France’s ongoing political instability.
Published on December 3, 2024
The French Prime Minister Michel Barnier has stated that it is possible he could survive a no-confidence vote in his minority government. Opposition parties have tabled the motion to oust the former Brexit negotiator after he used special powers to force through his budget without a vote.
Background on the Crisis
France has been plagued by political uncertainty since President Emmanuel Macron called snap elections over the summer, resulting in a hung parliament where no group had an absolute majority. Despite this, Macron appointed Barnier, a conservative, in an attempt to reinstate stability.
Barnier’s Stance
In a primetime TV interview ahead of Wednesday’s vote, Barnier pleaded his case before the public, saying that he remained open to budget talks with opposition parties despite being widely predicted to lose the vote. He also sought to distance himself from France’s ongoing state of political instability, stating that he was not at fault.
Macron’s Role
Barnier rejected the idea that President Emmanuel Macron should resign to unblock the country’s current crisis, calling him a guarantee of stability. If Barnier does not survive the vote, he will remain in place as caretaker prime minister until Macron announces a new government. The process could take weeks, as it did in summer.
Predictions and Consequences
Barnier is expected to become the shortest-lived prime minister in France’s Fifth Republic, with the left-wing bloc in the National Assembly, as well as the far-right, predicted to back the motion against him. This would lead to months of political instability as the country navigates a new government.
Related Stories
-
French government teeters after PM Barnier forces through budget
-
Months of political instability loom as French government nears collapse
-
Michel Barnier’s journey from Mr Brexit to French PM
By BBC News
Barnier’s Government and Budget Bill
Barnier’s government has been consistently undermined due to its lack of a parliamentary majority. In a bid to deliver stability, Macron appointed the conservative Barnier after the left-wing alliance won most seats in the National Assembly. However, Barnier opted to push through controversial reforms to social security by invoking presidential decree after failing to win enough support for the measures.
The budget bill sought to deliver €60bn (£49bn) in tax rises and spending cuts, but Barnier was forced to cave in to changes demanded by critics due to his lack of a parliamentary majority.
No-Confidence Vote and Potential Consequences
Opposition parties have tabled a motion to oust Barnier from office. If he does not survive the vote, he will remain in place as caretaker prime minister until Macron announces a new government.
Macron has reportedly begun considering his pick for the next prime minister, but the process could take weeks, similar to what occurred during the summer.
Quotes from Barnier
In an interview with French TV channels, Barnier said: It’s not a question of political survival for me. I’ve been in this office for three months. I arrived there on 5 September, telling myself that I could leave the next morning.’ He also rejected the idea that President Emmanuel Macron should resign to unblock the country’s current crisis, calling him a guarantee of stability.
