French President Emmanuel Macron has vowed to remain in office until the end of his term in 2027, despite a historic no-confidence vote that ousted Prime Minister Michel Barnier. In a televised address to the nation, Macron announced his intention to appoint a new prime minister “in the coming days” and rejected calls from the opposition to step down.
Barnier’s removal, just three months after his appointment, marks the first time in over six decades that a French government has been toppled by parliament. Macron labeled the event “unprecedented” and accused the French far right and hard left of forming an “anti-republican front” to bring down his government.
The no-confidence vote, tabled by both the left-wing New Popular Front (NFP) alliance and Marine Le Pen’s far-right National Rally (RN), came after Barnier used special powers to push through his budget without parliamentary approval.
“A little reminder to President Macron, who is supposed to be the guarantor of the Constitution: censure is not anti-republican, it is provided for in the Constitution of our Fifth Republic,” Le Pen retorted on social media following Macron’s speech.
Macron’s decision to call snap elections in June resulted in a fragmented parliament, making it challenging to find a prime minister who can command a majority. The National Assembly is now divided into three major blocs: the left, center, and far right.To ensure the stability of his next government,Macron will likely need to secure the support of at least a portion of the left-wing bloc.
The president has initiated talks with various political leaders, including centrists within his own camp, Socialist leaders, and members of the right-wing Republicans. Socialist leader Olivier Faure has expressed openness to discussions and “compromises on every issue” to form a government based on a “fixed term contract,” but emphasized a reluctance to “ensure the continuity of Macronism.”
With new parliamentary elections not possible until July 2025, Faure’s suggestion of a limited-term government could be a strategic move.
Macron faces a delicate balancing act as he seeks to assemble a new government capable of navigating France’s complex political landscape.
French President Emmanuel Macron faces a deepening political crisis after his Prime Minister, Élisabeth Borne, was ousted in a no-confidence vote. The vote, which saw 331 lawmakers voting against Borne, far exceeded the 288 needed for its passage, forcing her resignation.
Borne’s departure automatically withdrew the government’s budget proposal. While she will remain in a caretaker role alongside her ministers until a new government is formed, Macron’s position remains unaffected. The President has faced intense criticism for his decision to call snap elections, a move that has led to a parliamentary deadlock and fueled the ongoing political turmoil.
Acknowledging the backlash, Macron admitted in a televised address that his decision “was not understood”: “Many have blamed me for it and, I no, many continue to blame me. It’s a fact and it’s my duty.”
He directly addressed voters, accusing some political opponents of prioritizing “chaos over responsibility” and neglecting the needs of the electorate, suggesting their focus was on the upcoming presidential elections.
Macron remained tight-lipped about his choice for the next Prime Minister, stating that the immediate priority for the new government would be the 2025 budget. Speculation is rife, with names like Defense Minister Sébastien Lecornu, Interior Minister Bruno Retailleau, and centrist former presidential candidate François Bayrou being floated as potential candidates.
Before appointing Borne, Macron had asked her predecessor, Gabriel Attal, to remain as caretaker for two months following the summer elections. However, it appears highly unlikely that a new government will be in place before Saturday, when world leaders, including US President-elect Donald Trump, are scheduled to attend the reopening ceremony of the rebuilt Notre-Dame Cathedral in Paris.
The cathedral, devastated by fire in April 2019, has been meticulously restored in just over five years, earning global admiration. Macron highlighted the rebuilding of Notre-Dame, along with France’s successful hosting of the 2024 Olympics, as evidence of the nation’s capabilities.
“We can do great things,” he said. “The world admires us for that.”
The President’s words, though, ring hollow amidst the political turmoil engulfing his governance.
## A Nation Divided: Decoding the French Political Crisis
**World Today News** sat down with Dr. Jean-Pierre Dubois, Professor of Political Science at the Sorbonne, to understand the ramifications of the historic no-confidence vote against Prime Minister Michel Barnier and its impact on President Macron’s future.
**World Today News (WTN):** dr. Dubois, the removal of Prime Minister Barnier is unprecedented in recent French history. What are the primary factors that led to this outcome?
**Dr. Dubois:** This is indeed a watershed moment in French politics. Primarily, we see a deeply fractured parliament resulting from the June snap elections. This fragmentation has left President Macron struggling to assemble a governing coalition. Coupled with this, Barnier’s use of Article 49.3 to bypass parliamentary approval for his controversial budget inflamed tensions,providing an prospect for the opposition to unite against the government.
**WTN:** President Macron has accused the far-right and hard-left of forming an “anti-republican front.” Is this a fair assessment?
**Dr. Dubois:** While the vote against Barnier saw a confluence of ideologies, characterizing it as a purely ideological “anti-republican front” might be an oversimplification.The opposition, though diverse, acted on a shared concern: the disregard for parliamentary procedure displayed by the government.
**WTN:** Macron has vowed to remain in office untill 2027 and pledged to appoint a new Prime Minister swiftly. How feasible is this given the current political landscape?
**dr.Dubois:** Macron faces a Herculean task. His ability to govern effectively hinges on forming a stable government. Given the fragmented parliament,achieving this requires brokering compromises and likely securing the support of at least a faction of the left-wing bloc.
**WTN:** Socialist leader Olivier Faure has shown willingness to engage in dialog, but cautioned against “ensuring the continuity of Macronism.” What implications does this hold for the potential government formation?
**Dr. Dubois:** Faure’s stance suggests a willingness to cooperate, but not at the cost of sacrificing the Socialists’ own agenda. Any potential coalition will likely be characterized by negotiations and compromises,perhaps resulting in a more centrist government than Macron initially envisioned.
**WTN:** With new elections not possible until 2025, how long can Macron realistically expect to remain in power without a strong and unified government?
**Dr. Dubois:** This is the million-dollar question. Macron’s political capital has been undoubtedly weakened. The coming weeks will be crucial. His ability to form a stable government, address pressing national issues, and rebuild trust with the public will determine the longevity of his presidency. Failure to do so could considerably imperil his position and lead to calls for early elections.
