JUST IN: French Government Collapses

The French government collapsed Wednesday after a no-confidence vote in Parliament, which ousts Prime Minister Michel Barnier.

331 out of 577 lawmakers in France’s National Assembly voted against Barnier, who is expected to resign.

The political turmoil leaves France without a functioning government for the first time in over 60 years.

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BREAKING NEWS

The French government has collapsed following a no confidence vote in Prime Minister @MichelBarnier @GBNEWS #france #breaking pic.twitter.com/ooqDF14UgY

— Lewis Mackenzie (@Lewismac101) December 4, 2024

Per Axios:

Barnier was ousted after just three months in the job. He was appointed by French President Emmanuel Macron, who called the snap elections that resulted in a deeply fractured parliament with no majority.

The “no-confidence” vote was called this week after Barnier pushed through an unpopular social security measure without parliamentary approval.

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Barnier’s budget proposal, which came against a fiscal backdrop that was worse than initially thought, included roughly $60 billion worth of tax hikes and spending cuts.

France’s far-right firebrand Marine Le Pen has led the opposition against the budget.

The left-wing New Popular Front alliance joined forces with Le Pen’s National Rally to pass the no-confidence motion.

French government collapses in no-confidence vote https://t.co/HR0Xq37gnC

— BBC News (World) (@BBCWorld) December 4, 2024

Another day, another EU government collapses.

French parliamentarians just backed a vote of no confidence against Michel Barnier and his government. 331 lawmakers, mostly from the left and far right, voted him down. This hasn’t happened in France since the 1960s. pic.twitter.com/azNrPfsh3M

— Rosie Birchard (@RosieBirchard) December 4, 2024

BBC reports:

Marine Le Pen, leader of France’s far-right National Rally party, says the budget that led to PM Michel Barnier’s downfall was “toxic for the French”.

“The only dignified solution for those who were given the mandate to protect them, was to oppose this budget,” she adds.

In an interview with French broadcaster TF1 Le Pen says there was “no other solution” than to oust Barnier from his post.

Asked about the French president’s prospects, Le Pen says: “I am not asking for the resignation of Emmanuel Macron.”

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However, she adds, that there will “come a time when, if we do not respect the voice of voters and show respect for political forces and respect for elections,” then pressure on the president will “obviously be stronger and stronger”.

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This is a Guest Post from our friends over at 100 Percent Fed Up.

View the original article here.