EMBARRASSED Michel Barnier has resigned as French prime minister after losing a no-confidence motion.
Barnier, the former EU Brexit hardman, has now become his country’s shortest-serving prime minister ever in yet another humiliating blow to President Macron.
French Prime Minister Michel Barnier reacts after the result of the no-confidence vote
AFPBarnier leaves after delivering a speech during the debate prior to the no-confidence votes[/caption]
He will remain in office on a caretaker basis with his ministers until a new government is named, the presidency said.
“The prime minister today submitted the resignation of his government” to President Emmanuel Macron, who has “taken note” of the resignation, the Elysee said.
Barnier and his ministers remain “in charge of daily business until the appointment of a new government”, it added.
President Emmanuel Macron is clinging onto power after another damaging political blow saw his government left in disarray.
His government collapsed last night after a historic vote of no-confidence was passed against Prime Minister Michel Barnier in the National Assembly.
Macron is now on the hunt for his sixth PM during his stint as president but it comes amid calls for him to ultimately resign.
The president has constantly vowed to serve out his term until 2027 despite his political rivals now calling for him to step down immediately.
The deputy of the far-left La France Insoumise party, Manuel Bompard, claimed today that Macron must leave to regain a sense of stability in Paris.
He told RTL France: “We are facing a situation of instability.
“I do not see, given the configuration of the National Assembly and the inability to compromise, a stable situation emerging.”
He also warned the next PM that they are walking into a poisoned seat.
Bompard is adamant that another Macron ally shouldn’t be gifted the prestigious role like before as all it does is reinforce France’s “democratic problem”.
Far-right leader Marine Le Pen has also blasted Macron for failing to step aside and says he is going to “sacrifice the fate of France because of his vanity”.
Barnier had already met with Macron today as it was expected he was to formally announce his registration.
The 73-year-old former EU Brexit negotiator was only appointed in September – making him the shortest serving prime minister in French history.
Macron is also due to address the nation in a televised speech, according to the Elysee presidential palace.
The latest polls out of Paris say the people feel they are entering a period of politics that is incapable of ever moving forwards under a Macron government.
Almost two-thirds of French citizens say they are in favour of him handing in his resignation, according to a Toluna-Harris survey for RTL.
French President Emmanuel Macron is likely to choose a successor quickly
AFPMacron with Barnier back in 2019[/caption]
AFPProtests are being held across France today with one demonstrator holding up a placard reading: ‘Macron, you stink, get out’[/caption]
A staggering 64 per cent of respondents agreed Macron should step aside immediately.
A whopping 94 per cent of people from the La France Insoumise party made up those in favour of Macron’s political demise.
Another 82 per cent of citizens say they now fear the future of France hangs in the balance with many worried about the economy in particular.
These people also took to the streets in protest over Macron and his failing authority.
Unions called for strikes and street demonstrations across the aggravated nation following the collapse of Macron’s latest rendition of the government.
One demonstrator was even seen holding up a placard reading: “Macron, you stink, get out.”
Many of those on strike are middle and high school teachers who want to send a “clear message to a future government”, the main union of secondary schools said.
Former leader of the Union for a Popular Movement, Jean-Francois Cope, agreed with the people’s feelings.
He told Franceinfo that the country won’t be able to continue under Macron until 2027 due to the constant cycle of issues.
Macron must accept that under him France’s democracy is clouded and unable to ever move on, Cope added.
France is already heading towards a period of political paralysis due to the latest PM departure with many predicting economic disaster too.
French bonds and stocks are already being sold off at an alarming rate as borrowing costs are now spiralling.
The political spectrum in Paris has teetered on the edge of chaos for months ever since Macron called a snap election in the summer.
In a shock move Macron was left red-faced when New Popular Front (NFP) – a left-wing coalition led by Jean-Luc Mélenchon – secured the most seats.
Macron’s centralist party won the second most seats but it left them losing out on stability in the government.
What happens now with France’s government?
EVEN though the no-confidence vote has now passed, PM Barnier will remain in his role until a new leader is picked by Macron.
Any new government is unlikely to be a majority, as none of the parties are near the threshold of 289 required.
Instead, a “technocratic” government would form – and the new prime minister would hold very little actual power until elections can next be held in summer 2025.
Macron was already in a weak position after France’s summer elections, which forced him into a partnership with the political right.
His last prime minister, Gabriel Attal, also headed up a caretaker government and regularly had to use a constitutional tool to force through laws.
This chaotic period severely dented Macron’s credibility as president.
The successful no-confidence vote against Barnier will surely make Macron less effective as a president – and his popularity could tumble even further.
The next presidential elections are in 2027, so Macron will remain in his post until then – if he can hang on.
Macron has no obligation to resign from his post now that the no-confidence vote has passed at the parliament.
AFPPresident of Rassemblement National parliamentary group Marine Le Pen speaks during last night’s debate[/caption]
AFPThe result of the no-confidence vote for Barnier was conclusive last night[/caption]