FRANCE: The government of center-right PM Michel Barnier is unlikely to survive today’s No Confidence vote in the French parliament. President Emmanuel Macron chose Barnier to avoid handing power to the left-wing alliance that became the largest bloc after the last parliamentary election.
There is a possibility that Parliament may opt to …
FRANCE: The government of center-right PM Michel Barnier is unlikely to survive today’s No Confidence vote in the French parliament. President Emmanuel Macron chose Barnier to avoid handing power to the left-wing alliance that became the largest bloc after the last parliamentary election.
There is a possibility that Parliament may opt to censure Mr Barnier rather than removing him. Even if he receives a no-confidence vote, Barnier would lead a caretaker government until President Macron appoints a new PM. Live coverage:
Barnier is done. Wonder what Marcon will do - go left or right. Unlikely for him to call for a snap Presidential election that will put him out of power.
Macron cannot call a new parliamentary election. At least one year has to pass after the last parliamentary election, which was in July. I suppose Macron could resign, triggering a new presidential election, but that seems a recipe for even greater chaos!
(EDIT: Macron has stated that he would not resign, regardless of the outcome of the no-confidence vote against his PM and his government.)
What happened today is unprecedented; not since 1962 has a French government been felled by a no-confidence vote.
The alternative seems to be for President Macron to actually cooperate with the center-left alliance, New Popular Front (NFP), rather than seeking to appoint yet-another Prime Minister that governs at the mercy of Marine Le Pen’s extreme-right National Rally (RN). That, however, would require serious compromise and breaking new ground, as France has no tradition for coalition government.
EDIT: Another point to note is that the national budget, which PM Barnier forced through by measures that bypassed a parliamentary vote, is now defunct. In other words, one way or another, France’s politicians will be forced to come to an agreement and find a resolution.
FRANCE: The government of center-right PM Michel Barnier is unlikely to survive today’s No Confidence vote in the French parliament. President Emmanuel Macron chose Barnier to avoid handing power to the left-wing alliance that became the largest bloc after the last parliamentary election.
There is a possibility that Parliament may opt to censure Mr Barnier rather than removing him. Even if he receives a no-confidence vote, Barnier would lead a caretaker government until President Macron appoints a new PM. Live coverage:
https://www.bbc.com/news/live/ckgxw9wj241t
How long would Barnier be able to steer a caretaker government? Until July elections next year?
Barnier is done. Wonder what Marcon will do - go left or right. Unlikely for him to call for a snap Presidential election that will put him out of power.
Macron cannot call a new parliamentary election. At least one year has to pass after the last parliamentary election, which was in July. I suppose Macron could resign, triggering a new presidential election, but that seems a recipe for even greater chaos!
(EDIT: Macron has stated that he would not resign, regardless of the outcome of the no-confidence vote against his PM and his government.)
What happened today is unprecedented; not since 1962 has a French government been felled by a no-confidence vote.
The alternative seems to be for President Macron to actually cooperate with the center-left alliance, New Popular Front (NFP), rather than seeking to appoint yet-another Prime Minister that governs at the mercy of Marine Le Pen’s extreme-right National Rally (RN). That, however, would require serious compromise and breaking new ground, as France has no tradition for coalition government.
EDIT: Another point to note is that the national budget, which PM Barnier forced through by measures that bypassed a parliamentary vote, is now defunct. In other words, one way or another, France’s politicians will be forced to come to an agreement and find a resolution.