PARIS (AP) 鈥� France鈥檚 far-right and left-wing lawmakers joined together to vote Wednesday a no-confidence motion prompted by budget disputes that forces to resign.
The National Assembly approved the motion by 331 votes. A minimum of 288 were needed.
President Emmanuel Macron insisted he will serve the rest of his term until 2027. However, he will need to appoint a new prime minister for the after led to a deeply divided parliament.
THIS IS A BREAKING NEWS UPDATE. AP鈥檚 earlier story follows below.
PARIS (AP) 鈥� is bracing for a no-confidence vote this week, a political reckoning almost certain to topple his fragile government and send shockwaves across the eurozone.
Barnier on Monday invoked a rarely used constitutional mechanism to push through the contentious without parliamentary approval, arguing it was essential to maintain 鈥渟tability鈥� amid deep political divisions.
The move immediately drew sharp backlash, with and the leftist New Popular Front both filing no-confidence motions in response, setting the stage for a vote as early as Wednesday that could see Barnier鈥檚 ouster.
The looming showdown unfolds against the backdrop of a fractured National Assembly, left in disarray after June鈥檚 snap elections delivered no clear majority.
had turned to Barnier in September to navigate the impasse and address France鈥檚 soaring deficit. Yet Barnier鈥檚 proposed austerity budget 鈥� slashing 40 billion euros ($42 billion) in spending and raising taxes by 20 billion euros 鈥� has only deepened divisions, inflaming tensions in the lower house and triggering this dramatic political confrontation.
The use of the constitutional tool, called Article 49.3, allows the government to pass legislation without a parliamentary vote but leaves it exposed to no-confidence motions. Opposition leaders argue that Barnier鈥檚 concessions, including scrapping an electricity tax hike, do not go far enough to address their concerns. Le Pen accused Barnier of ignoring her party鈥檚 demands.
鈥淓veryone must shoulder their responsibilities,鈥� she said.
The political standoff has unsettled financial markets, with borrowing costs rising sharply amid fears of prolonged instability. Barnier warned of 鈥渟erious turbulence鈥� if the budget isn鈥檛 passed, but critics dismissed his remarks as fear-mongering.
If the no-confidence motion succeeds, Macron will remain president but will need to appoint a new prime minister to steer legislation through the fractured assembly. The uncertainty threatens to deepen France鈥檚 economic troubles and reverberate across the eurozone.
Thomas Adamson, The Associated Press
