Jakarta, Indonesia Sentinel — In an unprecedented political shake-up, French parliament ousted Prime Minister Michel Barnier on Wednesday night (December 4) in a no-confidence vote. Marking the first time in more than 60 years that the National Assembly has removed a sitting government.
Barnier, who had been in office for only three months, was forced out amid mounting opposition to his administration’s handling of key policies.
The motion of no confidence was initiated by radical left-wing lawmakers and gained support from far-right parties led by Marine Le Pen, the government’s main opposition. The motion came after Michel Barnier bypassed parliamentary debate to push through a controversial social security financing bill on Monday.
According to Al-Jazeera, the voting session was held at the French National Assembly on Wednesday, December 4. A total of 331 legislators out of 577 parliament members supported the no-confidence motion, effectively dissolving Barnier’s government.
Following the vote, National Assembly President Yael Braun-Pivet confirmed that Prime Minister Michel Barnier is now required to submit his resignation to President Emmanuel Macron. Barnier’s short tenure as prime minister, which began on September 5, has now earned him the distinction of being one of France’s shortest-serving leaders.
Opposition leaders have wasted no time turning up the heat on Macron, who now faces the daunting task of finding a suitable replacement while managing a political crisis.
WhatsApp to End Support for Older iPhone Models Starting 2025
Far-right leader Marine Le Pen said the vote piles pressure on Macron but stopped short of calling for his resignation. Stating that the final decision lies with President Macron.
On the left, Mathilde Panot, leader of the hard-left France Unbowed (LFI) parliamentary group, went further, calling for Macron to step down. “We are now demanding that Macron resign,” Panot told reporters, adding that an early presidential election is necessary to resolve the escalating political turmoil.
Macron’s Challenge Ahead
With more than two years left in his presidential term, Macron must now navigate a fractured political landscape while naming a successor to former Prime Minister Michel Barnier.
This political crisis marks a turning point in Macron’s presidency, with opposition parties from both ends of the spectrum capitalizing on public discontent to challenge his leadership. As the nation awaits Macron’s next move, France enters uncharted territory, facing deepening political uncertainty.
(Raidi/Agung)
