PARIS (AP) — French President Emmanuel Macron will address the nation Thursday, a day after the National Assembly ousted Prime Minister Michel Barnier in a historic vote of no confidence, leaving France without a functioning government.
Macron is expected to focus on stabilizing the political crisis and possibly appointing a new prime minister to guide through the fractured parliament.
Barnier formally submitted his resignation at the Elysée Palace on Thursday morning, fulfilling a constitutional obligation. The vote of no confidence was passed by 331 votes in the National Assembly, forcing Barnier to resign after just three months in office – the shortest term of any prime minister in modern French history.
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Pressure to act quickly
Macron faces the crucial task of appointing a replacement capable of leading a minority government in a parliament where no party has a majority. Yaël Braun-Pivet, president of the National Assembly and member of Macron’s party, urged the president to take swift action.
“I recommend that he quickly choose a new prime minister,” Braun-Pivet said on France Inter radio on Thursday. “There should be no political hesitation whatsoever. We need a leader who can talk to everyone and work to pass a new budget law.”
The process can prove challenging. Macron’s government has not yet confirmed any names, although French media have reported a shortlist of centrist candidates who could appeal to both sides of the political spectrum.
Macron took more than two months to appoint Barnier after his party’s defeat in June’s parliamentary elections, raising concerns about possible delays this time.
Calls on Macron to resign
The no-confidence vote has galvanized opposition leaders, with some explicitly calling for Macron’s resignation.
“I believe that stability requires the departure of the president of the republic,” Manuel Bompard, leader of the far-left party France Unbowed, said on BFM TV on Wednesday evening.
Far-right National Rally leader Marine Le Pen, whose party has the most seats in the Assembly, did not explicitly call for Macron’s resignation but warned that “the pressure on the President of the Republic will become increasingly stronger.”
However, Macron has rejected such calls and ruled out new parliamentary elections. The current French constitution does not require a president to resign after his government is deposed by the National Assembly.
“I have been elected until 2027, and I will fulfill that mandate,” he told reporters earlier this week.
The constitution also says new parliamentary elections cannot be held until July, creating a potential deadlock for policymakers.
Economic uncertainty
The political instability has increased concerns about the French economy, and especially about the national debt, which could rise to 7% of GDP next year without significant reforms. Analysts say the fall of Barnier’s government could push up French interest rates, pushing up debt even further.
Credit rating agency Moody’s warned late on Wednesday that the fall of the government “reduces the likelihood of consolidation of public finances” and worsens the political stalemate.
Macron’s speech, scheduled for 8 p.m. local time, is expected to address these economic challenges while charting a course for the future government.
