Oct 8, 2024 – France’s minority government is expected to survive a no-confidence vote on Tuesday, marking a crucial test for newly appointed conservative Prime Minister Michel Barnier. Without a parliamentary majority, the government has had to rely on support from far-right lawmakers to stay in power.
Barnier’s administration faces major challenges, especially the need to secure approval for next year’s budget in a divided National Assembly. After the parliamentary elections in June and July, the assembly is made up of three main groups: the New Popular Front, Macron’s centrist allies, and the far-right National Rally party. None of these groups won an outright majority, making it difficult for Barnier’s government to move forward.
The no-confidence motion has been put forward by 192 members of the left-wing coalition, the New Popular Front, which includes the hard-left France Unbowed, Socialists, Greens, and Communists. The motion needs 289 votes to pass. For now, the far-right National Rally, which has 125 lawmakers, has decided to abstain from the vote. Marine Le Pen, the party leader, stated she wants to “give a chance” to Barnier’s government.
Critics, especially among left-wing lawmakers, have denounced Barnier’s appointment as prime minister. They argue it ignores the results of the recent elections, where they won the most seats in the National Assembly. The no-confidence motion claims that this government “is a denial of the result of the most recent legislative elections.”
