French PM Michel Barnier Faces Collapse in No-Confidence Vote Over Budget Crisis

The embattled prime minister is expected to lose the vote after invoking constitutional powers to pass his budget, angering both left- and far-right factions in parliament.

• Prime Minister Michel Barnier is set to lose a no-confidence vote in the French National Assembly, which would make him the shortest-serving French PM since 1958.
• The political crisis began when Barnier used Article 49.3 of the French constitution to bypass parliament and push through a €60 billion budget of tax hikes and spending cuts.
• Both the left-wing New Popular Front (NFP) and far-right National Rally (RN) parties, typically ideological opponents, have united to vote against Barnier's government.
• French President Emmanuel Macron, currently on a state visit to Saudi Arabia, has ruled out resigning despite mounting political instability and calls for him to step down.
• If the government falls, Macron will need to appoint a new prime minister, but constitutional rules prevent new parliamentary elections until at least mid-2025.

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