French Prime Minister Michel Barnier has submitted his resignation following a vote of no confidence that led to the collapse of the government, deepening the country's political turmoil. Barnier formally resigned to President Emanuel Macron, who accepted it. He will continue in a caretaker capacity until a new government is appointed.
The vote on Monday saw 331 out of 577 lawmakers opposing Barnier's government, resulting in its defeat. This marks the first French government to be defeated in a no-confidence motion since 1962, making Barnier the shortest-serving prime minister in the country's history.
President Macron had appointed Barnier to lead a minority government after a snap election earlier this year left the parliament divided into three factions without a clear majority. The government faced challenges from lawmakers on both ends of the political spectrum.
The collapse of Barnier's government came after a failed attempt to push through part of the annual budget, leading to a confidence motion initiated by rival lawmakers. The far-right National Rally supported the motion, contributing to the government's downfall.
France now faces the task of selecting a new prime minister amid ongoing political instability. Macron is expected to address the nation to discuss the way forward. Additionally, a budget must be passed before a looming deadline, with potential implications for the country's public finances.
The political crisis in France has raised concerns about the country's debt levels, which are approaching 111% of GDP, a historic high since World War II. The government's efforts to address the budget deficit through tax hikes and spending cuts have faced opposition from various parties.
The aftermath of Barnier's resignation and the government's collapse have left France grappling with uncertainty as it navigates through a challenging period in its political landscape.
