French PM Michel Barnier ousted in no-confidence vote
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The news: The French National Assembly has ousted the government of prime minister Michel Barnier after a no-confidence vote.
The numbers: The no-confidence motion, brought by an alliance of left-wing parties and backed by MPs from Marine Le Pen's far-right National Rally, was supported by a clear majority of 331 lawmakers.
The move has brought down the minority coalition of right-wing prime minister Michel Barnier after three months, following a surprise snap election called by French President Emmanuel Macron in June.
It is the first time in over 60 years that a sitting French prime minister has been toppled by a no-confidence motion.
The context: The vote came after Barnier chose to use special constitutional powers to adopt part of an unpopular budget without a final vote in parliament, where it lacked majority support.
Barnier will now have to resign as prime minister, with Macron required to select a successor with over two years of his presidential term left. Macron, whose second term as president runs until spring 2027, is not obliged to stand down himself.
No new parliament elections can be called before July 2025, narrowing Macron’s options faced with a deeply divided national assembly.
