French lawmakers on Wednesday voted to dismiss Prime Minister Michel Barnier’s government just three months into his tenure. The first successful vote of no confidence since 1962 will see Barnier become the shortest-serving prime minister.
In a historic move not seen in over six decades, the National Assembly approved a no-confidence motion against the government, passing it with 331 votes—well above the required 288. The motion, introduced by the hard-left, gained decisive support from the far-right National Rally led by Marine Le Pen.
President Emmanuel Macron, reaffirming his commitment to serve until 2027, now faces the task of appointing a new prime minister for the second time since July’s legislative elections, which resulted in a sharply divided parliament.
The crisis escalated after Barnier invoked a rarely used constitutional mechanism on Monday to bypass parliamentary approval and push through the controversial 2025 budget. Barnier justified the move as essential to maintain “stability” amid mounting political divisions. However, the decision provoked outrage, prompting both Le Pen’s far-right faction and the leftist New Popular Front to file no-confidence motions.
The dramatic showdown unfolded in a fractured National Assembly left in chaos after June’s snap elections failed to deliver a clear majority. Macron had appointed Barnier in September to tackle the impasse and address France’s soaring deficit. Yet Barnier’s austerity measures—cutting €40 billion in spending and raising taxes by €20 billion—fueled further discord, culminating in his historic ouster.