French Government Falls

(Patria) - The French parliament tonight voted no confidence in the government led by Prime Minister Michel Barnier. 331 deputies voted for no confidence in the government, significantly more than the required majority of 288 votes.

The French government's debacle has its roots in President Emmanuel Macron's decision to dissolve parliament in June, which led to early elections. These elections resulted in a parliament divided into three approximately equal groups with no clear majority, reports RSE.

This meant that the minority centrist government led by Michel Barnier was left at the mercy of the left-wing New Popular Front (NFP) alliance and the far-right National Rally (RN), which together had enough deputies to remove it from power.

Barnier announced on Monday that, to avoid a parliamentary vote, he would push through a part of the budget related to social security through a special procedure. This procedure, in turn, allowed opposition deputies to initiate a vote of no confidence.

The leader of the French far-right, Marine Le Pen, said after the vote of no confidence in the government that pressure on the country's president is growing, but that she is not demanding Macron's resignation for now. She said that the far-right has some demands for supporting a possible Barnier successor, but will allow the next prime minister to get to work.

Jean-Luc Melenchon, who leads the far-left party La France Insoumise (LFI), which is part of the broader left-wing alliance, expressed his satisfaction with the government's fall.

"Even with a new Barnier every three months, Macron will not last three years," he said, referring to the remaining time President Macron has in office.

New elections, according to the constitution, are not possible before June, and Macron will now face a major challenge in appointing a new government in a parliament that is more divided than ever, as well as with calls for his resignation.

According to Reuters, Macron intends to appoint a new prime minister quickly.

One source told Reuters that Macron hopes to have someone in place as early as December 7, when the newly elected US President Donald Trump will visit to mark the reopening of Notre Dame Cathedral.