France plunged into political chaos on Wednesday as opposition lawmakers succeeded in ousting Prime Minister Michel Barnier’s government through a no-confidence vote. The motion, supported by 331 lawmakers from far-right and left-wing parties, marks the first time a French government has fallen to such a vote since 1962. This historic event leaves the nation, the European Union’s second-largest economy, grappling with political instability at a time of pressing economic challenges. Barnier is expected to tender his resignation and that of his government to President Emmanuel Macron.
The roots of the crisis lie in Macron’s decision to call a snap election in June, which resulted in a deeply divided parliament. Unable to secure majority support, Barnier’s government resorted to special constitutional powers to pass a budget proposing €60 billion in spending cuts aimed at reducing France’s substantial deficit. This move enraged opposition parties, with far-right leader Marine Le Pen describing the budget as “dangerous, unfair, and punitive.” She emphasized that collapsing the government was “the only way the constitution gives us to protect the French.”
The fallout has left France without a stable government or an approved 2025 budget, though constitutional provisions prevent a U.S.-style shutdown. The uncertainty has already unsettled financial markets, with France’s borrowing costs briefly exceeding those of Greece earlier this week. Macron must now swiftly decide on a new prime minister, with sources indicating he aims to appoint one before the high-profile reopening of Notre-Dame Cathedral on Saturday, an event that President-elect Donald Trump is expected to attend.
Any new prime minister will face the same gridlocked parliament that paralyzed Barnier’s government, making it difficult to pass crucial legislation. Macron could opt to keep Barnier and his ministers in a caretaker capacity while exploring options to find a leader capable of bridging the partisan divide. In the meantime, a caretaker government could extend current budget provisions or attempt to pass the 2025 budget by decree—an option fraught with legal ambiguity and political risk. Macron’s opponents argue that the only meaningful solution to the crisis is his resignation, a step he has shown no willingness to take.
The political upheaval in France comes at a time of mounting instability within the European Union, exacerbated by Germany’s coalition troubles and the impending return of Donald Trump to the White House. For Marine Le Pen and her National Rally party, this moment also carries risks. Having positioned themselves as a credible alternative to Macron’s administration, they now face scrutiny over their ability to govern effectively. As France navigates this period of uncertainty, the challenges of managing a polarized political landscape will continue to dominate the nation’s agenda.