In a dramatic turn of events, French Prime Minister Michel Barnier has been removed from office following an overwhelming vote of no confidence in parliament.
On Wednesday night, 331 out of 577 members of parliament backed the motion against Barnier, marking the first time a French government has collapsed in such a manner since 1962.
This also makes Barnier the shortest-serving prime minister in French history, having held the position for just three months.
The no-confidence motion stemmed from widespread discontent over Barnier’s use of special powers to push through his budget without parliamentary approval.
Leaders from both the far-right National Rally, led by Marine Le Pen, and the radical left, represented by Éric Coquerel, accused Barnier of ignoring their concerns about the budget.
His removal highlights mounting political tensions in President Emmanuel Macron’s administration, which had appointed Barnier in September to lead a unifying government.
President Macron now faces the challenge of appointing a new prime minister to stabilize the government and address the political divisions that have disrupted governance.
Meanwhile, critics argue that Barnier’s controversial decision to bypass parliament reflected a broader disconnect between leadership and the people, highlighting the need for greater transparency and dialogue in decision-making.
As France navigates this historic upheaval, the focus remains on rebuilding trust and ensuring that governance serves the interests of its citizens.
