France slid deeper into political uncertainty on Wednesday after Prime Minister Michel Barnier was ousted in a no-confidence vote, marking the first time a French head of government has been forced out in more than six decades. The move reignited a summer political crisis and left Europe's second-largest economy facing new turbulence as it confronts a mounting budget challenge and deadlocked legislature. Barnier's downfall, after just three months in office, underscores the difficulties President Emmanuel Macron faces in governing without a stable parliamentary majority.
A total of 331 lawmakers in the 577-seat National Assembly voted against Barnier, exceeding the 288-vote threshold needed. He is expected to resign, leaving France with a caretaker administration. The unprecedented political vacuum arrives after Macron's decision to call snap elections last summer backfired, resulting in a split chamber divided among left, centrist, and far-right blocs. "Even with a Barnier every three months, Macron will not last three years," said Jean-Luc Melenchon, leader of the leftist coalition, referring to the president's remaining time in office.
Marine Le Pen, who leads the far-right coalition that joined forces with left-wing lawmakers to topple Barnier, defended the no-confidence move. "The choice we made was to protect the French," Le Pen said. Much of the anger was aimed at Barnier's proposed tax hikes and spending cuts, as well as his use of special powers to push a welfare-related budget bill without a parliamentary vote. Barnier's brief term is now set to become the shortest in modern French history.
President Macron, who retains his post until 2027, has signaled he will not resign, but he must now navigate a perilous political landscape to identify a new prime minister who can command at least some measure of cross-party support. On Thursday, he addressed the nation in a televised 10-minute speech, rejecting calls for his own departure. "I will stay in my post fully, until the end of the mandate," he said. Macron added that he would "appoint in the coming days a prime minister who will form a government of general interest."
Finding such a figure will be no simple task. On Friday, Macron met with centrist allies before holding talks with Socialist leaders, who have suggested openness to compromise under a "fixed-term" administration but have no intention to "ensure the continuity of Macronism." "We are open to discussion and compromises on every issue," said Socialist leader Olivier Faure. But other left-wing figures remain unconvinced, and the far-right National Rally (RN) shows no sign of relenting. "A little reminder to President Macron ... censure is not anti-republican, it is provided for in the Constitution of our Fifth Republic," said Marine Le Pen.
No new parliamentary elections can be held until at least July 2025, guaranteeing ongoing tension. That leaves Macron scrambling to craft a viable government capable of passing a critical 2025 budget. Investors and European partners are watching closely, concerned that prolonged instability in Paris could spill into financial markets. France's public debt hovers around $3 trillion, and any hint of gridlock could spook investors and complicate the country's economic recovery.
Meanwhile, Barnier will remain in a caretaker capacity until a successor is chosen. Before Barnier's appointment, Macron initially kept Gabriel Attal as a caretaker prime minister for two months after inconclusive elections. This time, the stakes feel even higher. The world's attention also turns to Paris, with leaders including U.S. President-elect Donald Trump expected to attend the weekend opening ceremony at Notre-Dame Cathedral. The iconic structure, nearly destroyed by fire in 2019, has been rebuilt in just over five years, a source of national pride Macron invoked as evidence that "we can do great things."
How Macron's next choice performs will be critical. Potential candidates discussed in political circles include Defense Minister Sébastien Lecornu, Interior Minister Bruno Retailleau, and centrist veteran François Bayrou. Whoever is picked must contend with a fractured National Assembly and skepticism about the president's judgment. "Proof that Macron's gamble in calling a snap election last Spring totally failed," said political scientist Jean-Yves Camus. "The road ahead will be very complicated."
