French President Emmanuel Macron has announced plans to appoint a new prime minister “in the coming days” following the resignation of Michel Barnier, who stepped down after losing a no-confidence vote in parliament.
In a televised 10-minute address on Thursday, Macron dismissed opposition calls for his resignation, reaffirming his commitment to remain in office “fully, until the end of the mandate” in 2027. He expressed gratitude to Barnier for his service during his brief tenure and criticized the far-right and hard-left for what he called an “anti-republican front” that ousted the government.
The no-confidence vote on Wednesday, which garnered 331 votes in favor—well above the 288 required—marked the first such dismissal of a French government in over six decades. Macron called the move “unprecedented.” The motion was jointly tabled by the left-wing New Popular Front (NFP) alliance and Marine Le Pen’s far-right National Rally (RN).
Le Pen defended the vote, stating on social media, “Censure is not anti-republican; it is enshrined in the Constitution of the Fifth Republic.” The vote followed Barnier’s controversial use of special powers to pass the budget without parliamentary approval.
After his resignation on Thursday, Barnier will serve as a caretaker prime minister along with his cabinet until a new government is formed. Macron’s presidency remains unaffected.
The political turmoil comes amid criticism of Macron’s decision to call snap elections in July, which created a parliamentary deadlock. Addressing the nation, Macron admitted the decision was “misunderstood” and took responsibility for the resulting crisis. He accused opposition parties of prioritizing “chaos over responsibility” and focusing on the next presidential race rather than the needs of voters.
Speculation over Barnier’s successor includes names such as Defence Minister Sébastien Lecornu, Interior Minister Bruno Retailleau, and centrist François Bayrou. However, forming a government supported by the fractured parliament may prove challenging.
Macron emphasized that the new prime minister’s immediate task would be drafting the 2025 budget. The appointment could occur before Saturday, when global leaders, including US President-elect Donald Trump, are set to attend the opening ceremony of the restored Notre-Dame Cathedral in Paris.
The cathedral, devastated by a fire in April 2019, has been rebuilt in just over five years, earning international acclaim. Macron highlighted this achievement, alongside France’s successful hosting of the 2024 Olympics, as proof of the nation’s resilience.
“We can achieve the impossible,” Macron declared. “The world admires us for that.”
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