French Prime Minister Michel Barnier invoked Article 49,3 of the Constitution to adopt the 2024 social security budget without a parliamentary vote. This move bypassed the National Assembly, where Barnier’s government lacks a majority, and provoked fierce opposition. Both the far-left France Unbowed (LFI) and the far-right National Rally (RN) announced plans to file a no-confidence motion against his government.

Barnier’s decision has triggered a political crisis. The vote on the no-confidence motion could occur as early as Wednesday. Marine Le Pen, a leading RN figure, declared, “The French are fed up with being mistreated. We cannot leave the situation as it is.”

Outcomes of the No-Confidence Motion

The no-confidence motion could result in two scenarios: If passed, it would topple the Barnier government, forcing a political reset. If rejected, the social security budget would be adopted and returned to the Senate for final approval.

The motion’s passage appears likely, given current parliamentary dynamics. LFI holds 71 seats, while RN and its allies control 141 seats. A total of 289 votes is required to unseat the government. Other left-wing coalition members within the NFP may also join the effort to censure Barnier.

If the motion succeeds, it would mark the first no-confidence vote to oust a French government since 1962, during Charles de Gaulle’s presidency.