French President Emmanuel Macron has promised to appoint a new prime minister “in the coming days” after Michel Barnier stepped down following a historic no-confidence vote in parliament.
As per the Leaders of Asia sources, in a televised address on Thursday, Macron vowed to continue leading the country “fully, until the end of the mandate” in 2027, dismissing opposition calls for his resignation. He thanked Barnier for his service during his short tenure and accused the far-right and far-left factions of forming an “anti-republican front” to topple the government.
On Wednesday, French MPs overwhelmingly voted to oust Barnier, marking the first time in over 60 years that a French government had been removed through a no-confidence motion. The move was triggered by Barnier’s use of special powers to push through the budget without parliamentary approval.
The motion, backed by Marine Le Pen’s far-right National Rally (RN) and the left-wing New Popular Front (NFP) alliance, received 331 votes, far surpassing the 288 needed. Following the vote, Barnier resigned, and the proposed budget was automatically withdrawn. He and his cabinet will serve in a caretaker capacity until a new government is named.
Marine Le Pen criticized Macron’s response, reminding him that “censure is not anti-republican; it is provided for in the Constitution of our Fifth Republic.”
According to the Leaders of Asia sources, Macron has faced mounting criticism for his decision to call snap elections in July, which led to a fractured parliament and escalating political tensions. Acknowledging the backlash, he admitted, “The decision I made was not understood. Many blame me for it, and I accept that responsibility.”
In his address, Macron accused some opposition leaders of prioritizing “chaos over responsibility” and focusing on their political ambitions rather than the needs of the French people.
Macron has not yet revealed who will replace Barnier, but he emphasized that the new prime minister’s immediate priority would be drafting the 2025 budget. Potential candidates include Defence Minister Sébastien Lecornu, Interior Minister Bruno Retailleau, and centrist leader François Bayrou.
However, forming a government capable of navigating the divided parliament may prove challenging, as seen after July’s elections when former Prime Minister Gabriel Attal served as a caretaker for two months.
The timeline for appointing a new government is tight, with global leaders, including U.S. President-elect Donald Trump, set to arrive in Paris on Saturday for the opening of the reconstructed Notre-Dame Cathedral.
The cathedral, which was severely damaged by a fire in 2019, has been restored in just over five years—a feat Macron described as a testament to France’s resilience and ambition.
“We have proven we can achieve the impossible,” he said, adding that both the cathedral’s rebuilding and France’s hosting of the 2024 Olympics showcase the nation’s ability to inspire admiration worldwide.
