PARIS: France headed into a new political crisis on Tuesday as opposition lawmakers vowed to topple the minority government of Prime Minister Michel Barnier in a no-confidence vote after just three months in office.

A standoff over an austerity budget, which has caused jitters on financial markets, follows months of tension since President Emmanuel Macron appointed the 73-year-old in September.

The far-left France Unbowed (LFI) opposition party said it would bring a no-confidence motion after Barnier used executive powers on Monday to force through social security legislation without a vote.

Marine Le Pen’s far-right National Rally (RN), which has demanded changes to the 2025 budget, said it would back the LFI move.

French legislators were expected to vote on the motion on Wednesday, with first results around 1900 GMT.

Two no-confidence motions will be put forward. One by the far right is unlikely to pass. Another proposed by the hard-left should go through with backing from RN lawmakers. “Blocking this budget is, alas, the only way the constitution gives us to protect the French people from a dangerous, unfair and punitive budget,” Le Pen said on X.

Barnier warned against the move. France’s situation is “very difficult in economic and social terms,” Barnier told the National Assembly lower house. The vote would “make everything more difficult and more serious,” he added.

Published in Dawn, December 4th, 2024