France faces political upheaval amid Notre Dame reopening celebrations

The reopening of Notre Dame Cathedral, long heralded as a symbolic victory for French President Emmanuel Macron, has been overshadowed by political chaos. Calls for Macron to resign have intensified after Prime Minister Michel Barnier submitted his resignation on Thursday following a no-confidence vote that dismantled his government.

Prime minister resigns after historic no-confidence vote

Michel Barnier, who served as France’s prime minister for just three months, became the shortest-serving leader in modern French history after his fragile coalition fell apart. The National Assembly, France’s lower house of parliament, voted 331-299 in favor of a no-confidence motion led by a coalition of far-left and far-right lawmakers.

Barnier’s controversial attempt to bypass parliamentary approval for the 2025 budget, using a rarely invoked constitutional mechanism, triggered widespread backlash and ultimately led to his ousting. Barnier will remain as a caretaker prime minister until Macron appoints his successor.

Macron faces mounting pressure

President Macron, addressing the nation on Thursday evening, called the no-confidence vote “unprecedented” and blamed what he described as an “anti-republican front” formed by the extreme left and right. He expressed no intention of resigning, promising to name a new prime minister in the coming days while appealing for unity.

However, Macron’s political future appears uncertain. Critics have blamed his decision to call snap elections in June, which resulted in a fragmented and dysfunctional parliament, for the current turmoil. While Macron’s presidency remains intact, experts warn that prolonged political paralysis could escalate calls for him to step down.

Notre Dame reopening: a symbol of resilience

Amid the political crisis, the 860-year-old Notre Dame Cathedral is set to reopen this weekend after years of restoration following its devastating fire in April 2019. The reopening was meant to be a moment of national pride and a testament to Macron’s ability to deliver on his ambitious promise to restore the cathedral by 2024.

Dignitaries from around the globe, including U.S. President-elect Donald Trump, are expected to attend the grand reopening ceremony and subsequent week-long celebrations. Trump’s visit marks his first international trip since winning the 2024 election.

Macron recently toured the cathedral, describing its reopening as a “shock of hope” for France and the world. Despite the celebrations, the political crisis looms large over the festivities.

Macron’s uncertain path forward

The collapse of Barnier’s government and the deep divisions within the National Assembly have left Macron facing the daunting task of appointing a new prime minister capable of uniting a fractured parliament. While Macron himself is not directly affected by Barnier’s resignation, his inability to stabilize the government could further erode his position.

“For now, Macron’s position is secure,” said Douglas Webber, emeritus professor of political science at INSEAD. “But the longer the impasse persists, the greater the pressure will be on him to resign and call new presidential elections — in which he cannot run again.”

A pivotal moment for France

As the world’s attention turns to the reopening of Notre Dame, the event’s symbolism of renewal and resilience stands in stark contrast to the political upheaval gripping France. Whether Macron can navigate this crisis and restore stability remains to be seen, but the stakes for his leadership — and for the country — could not be higher.