French Government Collapses As PM Barnier Looses No-Confidence Vote, First Since 1962

France's far-right and left-wing lawmakers united in a historic no-confidence vote over budget disputes, forcing Prime Minister Michel Barnier and his Cabinet to resign. This marks the first such occurrence since 1962. The National Assembly passed the motion with 331 votes, surpassing the required 288.

President Emmanuel Macron affirmed that he will complete his term until 2027. However, he will need to appoint a new prime minister for the second time, following July's legislative elections which resulted in a deeply divided parliament.

The officials informed that Macron is all set to address the French on Thursday evening. Barnier is expected to formally resign by then.

A conservative appointed in September, Barnier becomes the shortest-serving prime minister in France's modern Republic.

“I can tell you that it will remain an honor for me to have served France and the French with dignity,” Barnier said in his final speech.

“This no-confidence motion… will make everything more serious and more difficult. That's what I'm sure of,” he added.

President Emmanuel Macron To Pick New PM

Macron must appoint a new prime minister but the fragmented parliament remains unchanged. With no new legislative elections possible until at least July, this creates a potential stalemate for policymakers.

Macron said discussions about him potentially resigning were “make-believe politics” during a trip to Saudi Arabia earlier this week, according to French media reports.

“I'm here because I've been elected twice by the French people,” Macron said. He was also reported as saying: “We must not scare people with such things. We have a strong economy.”

(With PTI inputs)