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.
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