The French government collapsed on Wednesday after opposition lawmakers from both the far-right and left voted to support a no-confidence motion against Prime Minister Michel Barnier and his administration.

🚨BREAKING: The French government has just COLLAPSED following a vote of no confidence.

Le Pen and RN will be licking their lips. pic.twitter.com/wJK5AJ6a6r

— Inevitable West (@Inevitablewest) December 4, 2024

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The motion, backed by 331 votes, marked the first such defeat for a French government since 1962 and deepened the political crisis facing President Emmanuel Macron’s leadership.

The no-confidence vote followed Barnier’s controversial decision to bypass parliamentary approval for a contentious budget plan using special constitutional powers.

The budget, aimed at saving €60 billion to address France’s massive deficit, had drawn widespread criticism for its perceived unfairness and economic impact.

Barnier is expected to tender his resignation, along with that of his government, to President Macron shortly.

The political turmoil leaves France, the European Union’s second-largest economy, without a stable government and raises concerns about its ability to legislate effectively or finalize its 2025 budget.

The situation has rattled investors, with borrowing costs for French sovereign bonds briefly surpassing those of Greece earlier this week.

Marine Le Pen, leader of the far-right National Rally, justified her support for the no-confidence motion, stating, “Collapsing the government is the only way the constitution gives us to protect the French from a dangerous, unfair, and punitive budget.”

The fallout is also expected to ripple across the European Union, which is already grappling with instability following the implosion of Germany’s coalition government.

The political crisis comes just weeks before President-elect Donald Trump is set to return to the White House, further complicating the European political landscape.

President Macron now faces critical decisions as he navigates the political impasse.

According to sources, Macron is aiming to appoint a new prime minister swiftly, potentially before a high-profile ceremony to reopen the Notre-Dame Cathedral on Saturday, which President-elect Trump is expected to attend.

However, any new prime minister will face the same challenges as Barnier in managing a divided parliament, where far-right and left-wing opposition parties hold significant sway.

A parliamentary election cannot be held before July, leaving limited options for resolving the crisis.

Macron could also ask Barnier and his ministers to remain in a caretaker capacity while searching for a leader capable of building cross-party consensus.

Alternatively, the government could propose emergency legislation to extend the provisions of the 2024 budget or invoke special powers to pass the 2025 budget by decree.

However, legal experts caution that such measures could lead to further political backlash.

The ongoing crisis presents significant risks for both Macron and Le Pen.

While Macron’s ability to govern effectively is under scrutiny, Le Pen’s National Rally faces pressure to demonstrate that it can provide a stable government alternative.

Both sides have blamed each other for the crisis.

Barnier’s supporters accuse the National Rally of political opportunism, while Le Pen’s party claims the government’s heavy-handed tactics on the budget left them no choice but to act.

The political uncertainty has left France in a precarious position, with the potential for further instability if opposition forces continue to block Macron’s efforts to form a functioning government.

As the crisis unfolds, France’s ability to manage its economic challenges and maintain its standing within the European Union remains in question.