French President Emmanuel Macron will address the nation Thursday, a day after the National Assembly ousted Prime Minister Michel Barnier in a historic no-confidence vote that has left France without a functioning government.
Macron is expected to focus on stabilising the political crisis and possibly naming a new prime minister to navigate the fractured parliament.
Barnier formally submitted his resignation Thursday morning at the Elysée Palace, fulfilling a constitutional obligation. The no-confidence motion passed by 331 votes in the National Assembly, forcing Barnier to step down after just three months in office 바카라 the shortest tenure of any prime minister in modern French history.
Pressure to act swiftly
Macron faces the critical task of naming a replacement capable of leading a minority government in a parliament where no party holds a majority. Yaël Braun-Pivet, president of the National Assembly and a member of Macron's party, urged the president to move quickly.
바카라I recommend he decide rapidly on a new prime minister,바카라 Braun-Pivet said Thursday on France Inter radio. 바카라There must not be any political hesitation. We need a leader who can speak to everyone and work to pass a new budget bill.바카라
The process may prove challenging. Macron's administration has yet to confirm any names, though French media have reported a shortlist of centrist candidates who might 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 legislative elections, raising concerns about potential delays this time.
Calls for Macron to step down
The no-confidence vote has galvanised opposition leaders, with some explicitly calling for Macron's resignation.
바카라I believe that stability requires the departure of the President of the Republic,바카라 said Manuel Bompard, leader of the far-left France Unbowed party, on BFM TV Wednesday night.
Far-right National Rally leader Marine Le Pen, whose party holds the most seats in the Assembly, did not explicitly call for Macron's resignation but warned that 바카라the pressure on the President of the Republic will get stronger and stronger.바카라
Macron, however, has dismissed such calls and ruled out new legislative elections. The current French constitution does not call for a president to resign after his government was ousted by the National Assembly.
바카라I was elected to serve until 2027, and I will fulfil that mandate,바카라 he told reporters earlier this week.
The constitution also says that new legislative elections cannot be held until at least July, creating a potential stalemate for policymakers.
Economic uncertainty
The political instability has heightened concerns about France's economy, particularly its debt, which could rise to 7 per cent of GDP next year without significant reforms. Analysts say that Barnier's government downfall could push up French interest rates, digging the debt even further.
Rating agency Moody's warned late Wednesday that the government's fall 바카라reduces the likelihood of consolidating public finances바카라 and worsens the political gridlock.
Macron's speech, scheduled for 8 pm local time, is expected to address these economic challenges while setting a course for the future government.
