Politico reports possibility of French government collapse this week
French Prime Minister Michel Barnier might initiate a no-confidence vote if he fails to satisfy the opposition National Rally during budget discussions. Read Full Article at RT.com.
TroibNews 
The minority cabinet in Paris is attempting to navigate a budget vote that has put them at odds with both the Popular Front and the National Rally.
French Prime Minister Michel Barnier may confront a no-confidence vote by Wednesday due to a budget disagreement centered on social spending, as reported by PMG EU. President Emmanuel Macron appointed Barnier in September, which sparked outrage from the leftist New Popular Front, who were sidelined during the right-wing National Rally's defeats in the summer snap parliamentary election. Since then, the Macron-supported minority government has managed to retain power by pitting the two factions against each other.
However, the impending budget has ignited open conflict among the parliamentary factions. Barnier’s proposed budget has been described as “a punishment” that will reduce the financial wellbeing of the French populace, and National Rally party leader Jordan Bardella indicated on RTL radio Monday that the RN will oppose the government “barring a last-minute miracle.”
France, as the second-largest economy in the Eurozone, is grappling with “a mountain of debt,” according to PMG, and is currently facing a government and parliamentary situation that has not been this unstable for a generation.
To avoid a political and financial crisis, the government requires approval of next year’s social security budget from the National Assembly. The country’s deficit is projected to reach 6.1% of GDP in the coming year. Barnier initially proposed cutting spending by €40 billion and raising €20 billion in taxes; however, PMG states that both strategies necessitate cooperation from the National Rally.
The right-wing party is taking a tough stance, laying down “red lines” that include eliminating a proposed increase in electricity taxes and delaying the annual inflation adjustment for pensions. The RN is also demanding “drastic cuts” to state-funded healthcare for undocumented immigrants and seeks negotiations with the EU to reduce France’s financial contributions.
Marine Le Pen, a prominent NR lawmaker, is also seeking a symbolic victory, as Barnier has framed his concessions as not being linked to their demands. “They want our votes, but not our faces associated with them,” she told AFP over the weekend, criticizing Barnier’s approach in the discussions as “extremely close-minded and sectarian.” She set a deadline for him to meet the NR’s demands by Monday or risk a no-confidence vote.
Conversely, Budget Minister Laurent Saint-Martin seemed to reject the idea of making concessions. “There is no way to guarantee the restoration of state finances if we go further than we have already,” he stated in an interview with Le Parisien published on Sunday. “Compromise is not blackmail; there cannot be an ultimatum.”
Should Barnier manage to win the support of the National Rally and maintain his position for a little longer, PMG notes that he will face a similar challenge later this month when the general budget for 2025 is set to be reviewed.
Camille Lefevre for TROIB News
French Prime Minister Michel Barnier may confront a no-confidence vote by Wednesday due to a budget disagreement centered on social spending, as reported by PMG EU. President Emmanuel Macron appointed Barnier in September, which sparked outrage from the leftist New Popular Front, who were sidelined during the right-wing National Rally's defeats in the summer snap parliamentary election. Since then, the Macron-supported minority government has managed to retain power by pitting the two factions against each other.
However, the impending budget has ignited open conflict among the parliamentary factions. Barnier’s proposed budget has been described as “a punishment” that will reduce the financial wellbeing of the French populace, and National Rally party leader Jordan Bardella indicated on RTL radio Monday that the RN will oppose the government “barring a last-minute miracle.”
France, as the second-largest economy in the Eurozone, is grappling with “a mountain of debt,” according to PMG, and is currently facing a government and parliamentary situation that has not been this unstable for a generation.
To avoid a political and financial crisis, the government requires approval of next year’s social security budget from the National Assembly. The country’s deficit is projected to reach 6.1% of GDP in the coming year. Barnier initially proposed cutting spending by €40 billion and raising €20 billion in taxes; however, PMG states that both strategies necessitate cooperation from the National Rally.
The right-wing party is taking a tough stance, laying down “red lines” that include eliminating a proposed increase in electricity taxes and delaying the annual inflation adjustment for pensions. The RN is also demanding “drastic cuts” to state-funded healthcare for undocumented immigrants and seeks negotiations with the EU to reduce France’s financial contributions.
Marine Le Pen, a prominent NR lawmaker, is also seeking a symbolic victory, as Barnier has framed his concessions as not being linked to their demands. “They want our votes, but not our faces associated with them,” she told AFP over the weekend, criticizing Barnier’s approach in the discussions as “extremely close-minded and sectarian.” She set a deadline for him to meet the NR’s demands by Monday or risk a no-confidence vote.
Conversely, Budget Minister Laurent Saint-Martin seemed to reject the idea of making concessions. “There is no way to guarantee the restoration of state finances if we go further than we have already,” he stated in an interview with Le Parisien published on Sunday. “Compromise is not blackmail; there cannot be an ultimatum.”
Should Barnier manage to win the support of the National Rally and maintain his position for a little longer, PMG notes that he will face a similar challenge later this month when the general budget for 2025 is set to be reviewed.
Camille Lefevre for TROIB News
