Macron to Address France After Historic Collapse of Barnier Government

French President Emmanuel Macron will deliver a national address on Thursday evening following the dramatic collapse of Prime Minister Michel Barnier’s government in a no-confidence vote. This marks the first time in over six decades that a French government has been brought down by parliament.

Barnier’s government fell late Wednesday after 331 MPs—well over the required 288—voted to censure him. The motion was backed by an unusual alliance between Marine Le Pen’s far-right faction and the left-wing New Popular Front. The catalyst for the no-confidence vote was Barnier’s decision to bypass parliament and push through the national budget using special executive powers.

Following protocol, Barnier tendered his resignation Thursday morning. He is expected to remain as caretaker prime minister until Macron appoints a successor, a process that could be drawn out due to sharp divisions among parliamentary factions.

Potential candidates for the role include Defense Minister Sébastien Lecornu, Interior Minister Bruno Retailleau, and centrist veteran François Bayrou. However, political observers warn that reaching a consensus on a new leader may take weeks, as seen last summer when Gabriel Attal temporarily held the role for two months.

As France grapples with political turmoil, Macron remains constitutionally insulated from the fallout. Nevertheless, calls for his resignation and demands for early presidential elections are growing louder, particularly from opposition leaders. Macron, however, has firmly dismissed the possibility of stepping down or advancing the presidential election timeline.