France’s Barnier government inches closer to collapse
The government in France has been faced with a likely toppling as hostile lawmakers in the National Assembly anticipate a no-confidence vote.
On December 4, after receiving the no-confidence vote by parliament, French Prime Minister Michel Barnier will be ousted from office.
Barnier's decision to use his executive powers to pass a disputed 2025 budget bill has caused a new commotion in France.
Both far-right and left wing parties lodged motions of no-confidence against the prime minister after his government used the constitutional clause to pass a contentious budget without parliamentary approval.
The prime minister, who was facing a massive budget deficit, now risks being deposed for insisting on his fiscal reforms in the framework of a new social security financing plan that French lawmakers disapproved.
Barnier's disputed budget reforms gave employers a discount, partially stopped inflation-indexing of pensions, and cut government spending on prescription drug reimbursement.
If Barnier's government is toppled as expected after failing to win support from Marine Le Pen's far-right National Rally, it would be the first to be forced out by a no-confidence vote in six decades.
His fragile coalition government was formed just three months ago after President Emmanuel Macron appointed Michel Barnier as Prime Minister on 5 September, replacing caretaker Gabriel Attal.
The parliament's debate on the matter is scheduled to start at 4 p.m. (1500 GMT) on Wednesday, with voting about three hours later, parliament officials said.
Macron, who is currently on a tour of the Middle East, is expected to be back in France by the time of the vote.
He has invited US President-elect Donald Trump for the opening ceremony of the newly restored Notre Dame Cathedral which was severely damaged in a fire five years ago.
When Trump first took office in 2017, his relationship with Macron, who was a new face on the global stage back then, was described by media as a "bromance".
Trump, speedily returning to the international spotlight, is one of 50 heads of state set to attend the ceremony.
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