French Government Falls as Barnier Loses No-Confidence Vote

French Government Collapses as PM Barnier Ousted in No-Confidence Vote

PARIS — French politics was thrown into turmoil on Wednesday as Prime Minister Michel Barnier’s government collapsed, igniting an unprecedented crisis that could severely impact the stability of the eurozone.

The collapse came after an unusual alliance between the far-right National Rally and the left-wing New Popular Front succeeded in passing a no-confidence motion. The vote followed widespread backlash against Barnier’s attempt to push through a controversial austerity budget designed to tackle France’s soaring deficit.

With Barnier now out of office, all eyes are on President Emmanuel Macron, who faces mounting pressure to resign amid claims that the EU’s second-largest economy is spiraling toward ungovernability. Macron must now appoint a new prime minister capable of stabilizing France’s fragile political landscape.

Barnier’s exit marks the shortest tenure for a prime minister in the history of the French Fifth Republic, which was established in 1958.

This story is developing and will be updated as more information becomes available.