Opposition lawmakers in France have brought down Prime Minister Michel Barnier's government in a historic no-confidence vote on Thursday. Calls for President Emmanuel Macron's resignation are now growing, deepening the country's political crisis.
The proposed budget, totaling sixty billion euros, was met with strong opposition from both the far-right and left-wing lawmakers, who argue that the measures would disproportionately impact the French public. The budget, which aims to address France’s growing financial challenges, has sparked widespread protests and calls for government accountability. This is the first time since 1962 that a French government has lost such a vote.
Marine Le Pen, leader of the far-right National Rally (RN) party, discussed the increasing pressure on President Emmanuel Macron. While she did not directly call for his resignation, Le Pen warned that continued disregard for voters' concerns would strengthen the pressure on the president. She suggested that Macron would ultimately have to decide whether to call for early elections or remain in power despite mounting opposition.
"I am not pushing for, I am not asking for the resignation of Emmanuel Macron," Le Pen said. "But if we don’t take the route of respecting the voters and political forces and elections, well, then the pressure on the president will of course be stronger and stronger. But he’s the only one who will make the decision, who will have the last word, on whether he wants the French people to vote again before 2027 or whether he wants to stay on the horse at any price, so to speak."
Meanwhile, the left-wing France Unbowed (LFI) party is calling for Macron’s resignation, accusing him of repeatedly imposing policies that the public has rejected. LFI members argue that Macron’s reforms are geared towards the wealthiest, burdening public services and ordinary citizens.
Mathilde Panot, a member of parliament from the far-left party, stated, "Today, with the no-confidence motion in this government, it is Emmanuel Macron's entire politics that has been defeated, one which was defeated three times in the results of elections, one which persists in wanting to make the people and the public service pay for policy made for the richest, one which must now stop. And to get out of the impasse in which the president has placed the country, there is only one solution, we now ask Emmanuel Macron to leave."
With Prime Minister Barnier's resignation expected, France faces political uncertainty. Without a new parliamentary election until July, the country is at risk of political paralysis, which could delay key decisions, including the approval of the 2025 budget. The situation has left France’s political future in question as both the public and lawmakers demand change.
Wildfires across England and Wales have reached their highest level on record, according to the National Fire Chiefs Council, as firefighters struggle to contain outbreaks following a spell of extreme heat.
At least 11 people were killed in Israeli strikes on southern Lebanon on Saturday, among the deadliest since a June ceasefire. Meanwhile, Qatar denied holding Iranian pilots. It said it had found the remains of one pilot after an airspace violation and had contacted Iran to coordinate a handover.
U.S. President Donald Trump's threats to make the Strait of Hormuz part of U.S. territory have been mocked by Iran's Deputy Foreign Minister, Kazem Gharibabadi, who said the sea passage "cannot be seized by tweet."
A wildfire in Croatia driven by strong winds descended on the tourist town of Omis overnight, engulfing houses, forcing about 1,000 people to evacuate to safety and injuring dozens, fire brigade and health officials said on Friday.
At least 47 people have been killed after a magnitude 7.7 earthquake struck off eastern Indonesia early on Saturday, triggering small tsunami waves and dozens of aftershocks, officials say.
Firefighters are battling Belgium’s largest wildfire on record, with a blaze in the High Fens nature reserve burning around 3,000 hectares of land and spreading towards the German border, local authorities said.
A Ukrainian drone attack on Russia’s Moscow region killed at least one person and damaged a warehouse belonging to online retailer Wildberries, Russian officials said, as both sides continue targeting infrastructure during the war.
Strong winds and torrential rain are lashing Hawaii after Hurricane Lala skirted the Big Island, prompting warnings of flooding, mudslides, and storm surge.
Moroccan authorities detained 148 irregular migrants on Saturday (15 August) after security forces blocked an attempted mass crossing into the Spanish-administered enclave of Ceuta, officials said.
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan says Egypt could join the newly signed defence agreement between Türkiye, Saudi Arabia and Pakistan, suggesting the pact could eventually grow into a wider regional security framework.
Download the AnewZ app
You can download the AnewZ application from Play Store and the App Store.
What is your opinion on this topic?
Leave the first comment