As expected, French Prime Minister Michel Barnier submitted his resignation on Thursday. However, President Emmanuel Macron asked him to remain in office until a new government was formed. On Wednesday evening, the opposition expressed no confidence in the French government.
Barnier’s possible successor is now François Bayrou, who previously held several ministerial positions. He is a close confidante of Macron and is planning a meeting with him next Thursday, according to media reports.
Barnier was appointed in September, making him France’s shortest-serving prime minister. He led a minority government based on the Ensemble party alliance, founded by Macron and the Republicans. The no-confidence motion was tabled by the left, with MPs from the right-wing national party Rassemblement National (RN) led by Marine Le Pen supporting the motion.
331 MPs voted in favor of replacement
A total of 331 of the 574 parliamentarians voted in favor of Barnier’s replacement. The reason was a dispute over budget cuts. The prime minister had sought to reduce the high deficit as France is well above EU targets for new and total debt. The concessions did not go far enough for the RN.
The cabinet can now stay in office temporarily. Macron wants to address the nation on Thursday evening at 8 p.m. The successor will likely lead a minority government again. The next parliamentary elections will not take place until July 2025 at the earliest.
Macron’s own term runs until mid-2027 and he cannot be impeached by parliament. The RN and the left have repeatedly called for his resignation. Le Pen thinks he has a good chance of succeeding the president.
Source: Krone
I am Ida Scott, a journalist and content author with a passion for uncovering the truth. I have been writing professionally for Today Times Live since 2020 and specialize in political news. My career began when I was just 17; I had already developed a knack for research and an eye for detail which made me stand out from my peers.
