French Prime Minister Michel Barnier has been removed from office following a historic no-confidence vote in the French parliament.
On Wednesday night, lawmakers voted overwhelmingly in favor of the motion, with 331 votes out of 577 supporting his ousting.
This marks a significant moment in French politics as it is the first time since 1962 that the French government has collapsed due to a no-confidence motion.
Barnier’s ouster also makes him the shortest-serving prime minister in the country’s history, having been appointed to the role only three months earlier in September 2024 by President Emmanuel Macron.
Barnier’s leadership came under intense scrutiny after he used special executive powers to push through his budget without seeking a parliamentary vote.
This move drew sharp criticism from both the far-right and radical left, with political figures like Marine Le Pen of the National Rally and Éric Coquerel accusing Barnier of ignoring their concerns about the national budget.
The prime minister’s removal comes just months after he was tasked by Macron to form a government that would unite France and serve the nation’s best interests.
However, the decision to bypass the parliamentary vote on the budget proved to be a critical turning point in his leadership, resulting in his swift removal from power.
With Barnier’s exit, the French political landscape faces new uncertainty as Macron seeks to navigate the fallout from this unprecedented move.
The decision also raises questions about the future direction of France’s government as the country deals with a deepening political crisis.