France is facing a political crisis as Prime Minister Michel Barnier’s minority centrist government is at risk of being ousted by a no-confidence vote. The roots of the crisis lie in President Emmanuel Macron’s decision to dissolve parliament in June, leading to a snap election that resulted in a divided parliament with no majority. Barnier’s government is now facing opposition from the left-leaning New Popular Front (NFP) alliance and the far-right National Rally (RN), who have enough MPs to unseat it.
The government has proposed a controversial budget that includes €60bn in tax hikes and spending cuts, prompting both the left and the far right to pledge to challenge the government with no-confidence votes. A parliamentary debate is scheduled to begin at 4pm local time, with a vote on the motion expected at about 7pm.
If the vote succeeds, Barnier’s government would be the first to be ousted in this way in France since 1962, making it the shortest-lived government in the history of the Fifth Republic. The crisis comes at a crucial time for France, with President Macron under pressure from both sides of the political spectrum.
No new elections can be held until June, leaving Macron with the daunting task of appointing a new government in a parliament that is more divided than ever. The outcome of the vote is uncertain, but it could have significant implications for the future of France and its political landscape.
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