French President Emmanuel Macron is scrambling to appoint a new prime minister after Michel Barnier‘s government was toppled by opposition lawmakers in a no-confidence vote. Barnier, a veteran conservative, resigned on Thursday, just three months after Macron appointed him, making him the shortest-serving prime minister in modern French history.
The Elysee Palace announced that Macron has asked Barnier and his government to remain in a caretaker capacity until a new government is formed. Sources told Reuters that Macron aims to appoint a replacement swiftly, potentially before a ceremony on Saturday to reopen Notre-Dame Cathedral, wich was renovated after a devastating fire. US President-elect donald Trump is among the world leaders expected to attend.
“I recommend that he proceed quickly to the appointment of a prime minister, it’s crucial, we must not leave things up in the air,” National Assembly president Yael Braun-Pivet told France Inter radio before meeting Macron.
France now faces the prospect of ending the year without a stable government or a 2025 budget. While the constitution allows for special measures to prevent a US-style government shutdown, the political turmoil further weakens the European Union, which is already grappling with the collapse of Germany’s coalition government. This comes just weeks before Trump’s return to the White House.
The crisis was precipitated by macron’s decision to call a snap election in June, a move that resulted in a highly polarized parliament.Macron is scheduled to address the nation at 7pm irish time.
French media has speculated that Francois Bayrou, a veteran centrist, could be a potential successor to Barnier. Le Parisien newspaper reported that Macron had lunch with Bayrou, but an aide to Bayrou did not respond to a request for comment on whether he had been tapped for the role of prime minister.
As France grapples with the need to form a new government for the third time this year, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen is in Uruguay, aiming to finalize a free trade deal between the EU and the South American trade bloc Mercosur. France has long opposed the accord, and Macron’s office reiterated its stance on Thursday.
“The French government collapses after losing no-confidence motion”
French President emmanuel Macron is facing mounting pressure to resign following the recent ousting of his Prime Minister, Elisabeth Borne. The move comes after a tumultuous period in French politics, marked by widespread protests and a fractured parliament.
Borne’s departure, announced on Monday, leaves macron scrambling to find a replacement who can navigate the political turmoil and address the country’s pressing economic challenges. “The main culprit for the current situation is emmanuel Macron,” declared Marine Le Pen, leader of the far-right National Rally party, in an interview with TF1 television.
A recent poll conducted by Toluna Harris Interactive for RTL broadcaster revealed that a staggering 64% of French voters now believe Macron shoudl step down.Despite this growing discontent, Macron has shown no indication of yielding to the opposition’s demands for his resignation. His current mandate extends until 2027.
Whoever succeeds Borne will inherit a daunting task. The new Prime Minister will face the same challenges of governing a deeply divided parliament, including the crucial task of passing the 2025 budget amidst concerns over France’s public finances.
“This is the logical conclusion of what France and its lawmakers are at the moment: a mess,”
– paulo, a 75-year-old Parisian
French constitutional rules prohibit new parliamentary elections before July, leaving Macron with limited options in the immediate future. The political landscape remains highly volatile,and the coming months will be crucial in determining the direction of france.
## France in Crisis: A Political Earthquake Rocks Macron’s Presidency
**World Today News:** We’re joined today by Dr. Celine Dubois, Professor of political Science at sciences Po, to analyze the political earthquake shaking France following the dramatic fall of Prime Minister Michel Barnier’s government.Dr. Dubois, this is unprecedented – what are your initial thoughts on this rapid turn of events?
**dr.Dubois:** This is certainly a crisis for Macron and, indeed, for French democracy. Barnier’s resignation after just three months marks a shocking record and underscores the deep political divisions gripping France. The snap election in June, while intended to strengthen macron’s mandate, has backfired spectacularly, resulting in a highly fragmented parliament and making it incredibly arduous to govern effectively.
**World Today News:** The Elysee Palace has announced a caretaker government remains in place until a replacement is found. How critical is speed in appointing a new Prime Minister?
**Dr. Dubois:** Time is of the essence. The longer France remains without a stable government, the weaker its position on the European stage becomes. Economic uncertainty looms large, with the risk of ending the year without a 2025 budget. The constitutional loopholes may prevent a complete government shutdown, but the political paralysis is already having a detrimental affect. A swift appointment is crucial to restoring confidence both domestically and internationally.
**World Today News:** There is speculation that Francois Bayrou, a centrist figure, could be Macron’s chosen successor. What are the chances of his appointment and what impact might it have?
**Dr.Dubois:** Bayrou is certainly a plausible candidate. He represents a more moderate position that could be appealing in bridging the chasm between the various factions within the parliament. However,his acceptance of the role is far from guaranteed,and even if he does,it remains unclear if he can garner enough support to forge a workable coalition government.
**World Today News:** This upheaval coincides with the impending return of Donald Trump to the White House. How might this impact France’s international standing and its relationship with the United States?
**Dr. Dubois:** This domestic crisis happening while the international landscape is also shifting dramatically is deeply concerning. A weakened France is less able to navigate these complex geopolitical realities. The transatlantic relationship, already strained, could face further turbulence as Macron attempts to address these internal challenges.
**world Today News:** looking forward, what are the potential scenarios for France’s political future?
**Dr.Dubois:** The coming weeks will be crucial. macron faces a monumental task in finding a viable solution, and failing to do so could lead to further instability. Early elections remain a possibility, but whether that would lead to a more stable outcome is far from certain. France is at a crossroads. The decisions made now will have far-reaching consequences, not just for the country but for Europe as a whole.
**World Today News:** Thank you for your insights, Dr. Dubois. We’ll continue to follow this developing story with the utmost urgency.
