PARIS — French President Emmanuel Macron is set to deliver a speech to the nation on Thursday in the wake of the resignation of Prime Minister Michel Barnier, who was ousted following a significant no-confidence vote at the National Assembly. This unprecedented event has left the French government in a state of disarray.
In a historic move, Barnier was removed from office with a commanding vote of 331 against him, marking him as the prime minister with the shortest duration in the contemporary history of France. This political upheaval places immense pressure on Macron, who must quickly appoint a new leader capable of effectively operating in a divided parliament where no single party commands a majority. Amidst this turmoil, opposition figures have called for Macron’s resignation; however, he has firmly stated that he will not resign or pursue new elections. This ongoing political crisis is causing rising concerns regarding the economic stability of France.
The latest developments following the vote reveal Barnier’s reflections just before leaving office. In his parting remarks, he expressed, “I can assure you that it has been an honor to serve France and the French people with dignity.” He added that this no-confidence motion would complicate the political landscape significantly going forward.
Barnier’s ousting occurred due to a coalition of far-right and left-wing lawmakers coming together in a no-confidence vote fueled by disagreements surrounding the national budget. This marked the first successful no-confidence motion since 1962 in France’s National Assembly, the lower chamber of Parliament, which successfully passed the motion with 331 votes in favor, surpassing the required minimum of 288 votes.
Michel Barnier, age 73 at the time of his ousting, was the oldest individual to hold the position of prime minister during the Fifth Republic of France, succeeding the youngest prime minister, Gabriel Attal, who was appointed at just 34 years old. Barnier has a long career in politics, emerging from modest beginnings in the Alpine region of Haute-Savoie, and he played a prominent role as the European Union’s chief negotiator during the challenging Brexit discussions.
President Macron’s address to the nation is anticipated to take place in less than an hour and a half. It is expected that he will tackle France’s economic hurdles and outline the direction for the incoming government.
