French Prime Minister Michel Barnier faces a critical vote of no confidence tomorrow (Dec. 4) after invoking Article 49.3 to pass a controversial 2025 austerity budget without parliamentary approval.
The move, designed to address France's soaring deficit with $42 billion in spending cuts and $21 billion in tax hikes, has polarized the fractured National Assembly. Marine Le Pen's National Rally and the leftist New Popular Front have united in opposition, calling for Barnier's ouster. In on interview on TV today, Barnier warned that if the motion succeeds, millions of French citizens could face economic instability, including rising interest rates and tax hikes, per the Guardian.
