The existing administration was essentially overthrown on Wednesday when the French National Assembly approved a vote of no-confidence.
The resolution received more than the required 288 votes, with 331 members voting in support of it. The vote was held soon after President Emmanuel Macron named Michel Barnier as prime minister in September.
It is increasingly anticipated that Barnier would step down after just three months in office. In French history, the conservative leader will serve as prime minister for the least period of time.
Shortly before the vote, Barnier said, “As this mission may soon come to an end, I can tell you that it will remain an honor for me to have served France and the French with dignity.”
Despite calls for his resignation from both parties, Macron plans to stay in office until the conclusion of his term in 2027. He will have to choose a new prime minister for the second time if he remains in power.
Due to disagreements over the budget, far-right and far-left French legislators united against the present administration, leading to the no-confidence vote.
The centrist Ensemble coalition lost several seats to the communist New Popular Front alliance in the July snap legislative elections, which significantly altered the balance of power in parliament.
Marine Le Pen, the head of the National Rally, said he would want to collaborate with the future prime minister in a post on X on Wednesday.
“We have been constructive from the start, and we will be with the next Prime Minister who will be required to propose a new budget,” Le Pen said in the English-language translation of his article. “What we want is for our voters to be respected and their demands heard.”
Additionally, the far-right lawmaker denied that she is specifically requesting Macron’s resignation.
